4.3 China
By: Laura Cobb, Shannon Basinski, and
J.T Paul
Question 1
► What
is the world’s oldest continuous
civilization?
Answer
► China
claims to be world’s oldest civilization.
It was first developed along the valley of
the Yellow River and later in much of
northern and eastern China.
Map of China
one-fifth of the world’s population lives in China
Question 2
► What
is calligraphy? What do music and
calligraphy have in common…?
Answer
► Calligraphy-
The art of writing in different
cultures. A contemporary definition of
calligraphic practice is “the art of giving
form to signs is an expressive, harmonious
and skillful manner.”
► Music
and Calligraphy have a similar
evolution of rhythm.
Calligraphy
Oracle Bones, 1200 B.C Shang
Dynasty, China (alternative view)
Oracle bones show early pictures of what eventually became
modern Chinese writing.
Question 3
► Why
were over seven thousand life size clay
soldiers and horses buried in China during
the Qin Dynasty?
Answer
► They
were buried in vaults near the Qin
emperor Xian and were intended to serve
him in the afterlife as an army of imperial
bodyguards.
Cavalryman and Saddle Hors, Qin
dynasty, (221-210 B.C) P. 95
This is an example of the life size soldiers created to accompany
the emperor. It is considered one of the greatest archeology
finds of modern times.
Question 4
► Why
was the Great Wall of China built?
Answer
► The
wall was 1500 miles long, 15 to 30 feet
tall and 25 feet wide. It was started in the
third century BC by southern Chinese trying
to keep out nomads of Mongolia and
Manchuria.
Great Wall of China ( alternative
view) p.93
Question 5
► Explain
some of the conventions of Chinese
Scroll paintings as found in the Instructress
Writing Down Her Admonitions for the
Benefit of Two Young Ladies.
Answer
► It
is one section of a long horizontal scroll.
This format was meant to be viewed slowly
section by section. It first began as an
appreciation for Confucian values and
through many steps the appreciation turned
into what Chinese scroll painting is today.
Ku K’ai-chih, Instructress Writing Down Her
Admonitions for the benefit of Two Young
Ladies
This is just a small part of the first section of a long horizontal
scroll. P.97
Question 6
► Why
were so many ceramic horse sculptures
created during the Tang Dynasty?
Answer
► Ceramic
horses were manufactured and sold
to wealthy families. They were a symbol of
wealth and loyalty to the emperor.
Glazed Horse
618 – 906, China, Tang Dynasty
ceramic with three-color glaze
Many ceramic figures of
people and horses were made
for the tombs of the wealthy.
P.92
Question 7
► During
which dynasty did the Chinese
landscape painting reach its high point?
Answer
► During
the Song Dynasty.
Hanging Scroll (alternative view)
This was created with a limited array of color. P. 93
T’ao Ch’I, copy. Peach Blossom Spring, 7th
century. Shang dynasty. P. 93
Question 8
► What
is the Forbidden City?
Answer
► The
Forbidden City is the Imperial palace in
Beijing. It was started in the early 15
century on the site of ancient palaces. It
has been destroyed many times by fire and
earthquakes, but it is always rebuilt
according to its original plans.
Hall of Supreme Harmon also known as The
Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Beijing, Ming
Dynasty- begun during the 15th century
(alternative view) P.99
Lion outside the Forbidden city
Question 9
► How
did the Chinese government affect
their country’s art in the middle of the
twentieth century?
Answer
► During
the middle of the 20th century, art
schools were shut down due to them being
classified as a threat to the government.
They were not reopened until the 1970s.
Then, in the 1990s, the government, while
still controlling production, finally allowed
artists more freedom to express themselves
in their work.
Jade Bird (alternative example)- Shang
dynasty p.94
These jade sculptures were popular as amulets or
charms.
Kuang,12th century B.C Shang
dynasty P. 94
There are three animals on this vessel: a tiger, an owl and
another bird.
Feline Head with Bovine Horns and Elephant Trunk
China, Shang dynasty, jade. (c.1766-1045 BC)
13th-11th Century BC- Alternate View
Jade was
believed to
hold
spiritual
qualities.
P. 93
Jar with cover (alternative example)
late Zhou Dynasty p. 95
House Model, Eastern, Han Dynasty
(25-220 C.E.)
House records such as this provided the first records of early Chinese
architecture. P.96
Guan-Yin about 12th century. Song
dynasty p. 98
DISH
mid 14th century
Yuan dynasty p. 98
Glazed porcelain