Outline

South, East and Southeast Asia

Later China
(1279-1969 CE)
2018-2019 edited July 7, 2018

Enduring Understanding
• 8.1 Art of South, East and Southeast Asia represent some of the
world’s oldest, most diverse, most sophisticated visual traditions;
included both visual and architectural expression
• 8.2 Many of world’s great philosophic, religious traditions developed
in South and East Asia; art forms supporting these developed here as
well
• 8.4 Asian art had/has a global role through trade, politics, religious
popularity

Essential Knowledge
• 8-1a Artworks as old as 18,000 BCE
• 8-2b Cultures promoted interconnection between natural and spiritual
worlds through religions of Daoism, Confucianism (5th cent BCE).
Buddhism too
• 8-3b Art forms included ceramic, stone, calligraphy
• 8-3d Artistic expression through courtly and secular art forms
(including literati)
• 8-4d Major trade routes linked Asia with Europe as well as maritime
networks; artistic traditions, styles, mediums shared as well – textiles,
ceramics

Geographic/Cultural Context
Geographic Dynasties
Geographic
• Genghis Kahn and the Mongols invaded China from the north in 1210
 • In 1279 Mongols under Genghis’s grandson (Kublai) established rule
over last of the emperors-the Song in southern China and founded
Yuan Dynasty

Dynasties
• Yuan, Ming, Qing, modern era

Yuan Dynasty
1279-1368

Thanks to chronicles and travels of Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler, China
found to be rich in tradition and skill-currency, commerce, coal
Was more advanced than late medieval Europe

Artists combined calligraphy, poetry, painting

Artists were usually scholars as well

Bamboo was common subject

Bamboo was symbol of ideal Chinese gentleman who bends but doesn’t
break under pressure
Bamboo’s characteristics were similar to the art of calligraphy

Role of calligraphy in/with Chinese painting:

• Inscriptions=text written on same surface as the painting
• Colophons=text written on attached paper or silk
Red seal impressions of artist, inscriber, or owner often stamped on boat

Ceramics also developed

Ming Dynasty
1368-1644

1368 last Mongol emperor driven from Beijing

Ming dynasty founded
Capital moved back to Beijing

Ming Dynasty gardens-not highly geometric and planned

Instead combined natural and artificial elements
Loosely arranged in an uncultivated way
Often had dramatic, interesting rockwork
Were places where the wealthy and powerful would go for rest and
reflection

Ming court Painting

Usually glorified the imperial family and historical figures

Were employed by the royal court

Ming Literati

Independent of court painters

Often done as gifts from student to teacher

Ming Painting Tradition

During Ming Dynasty two schools of painting

Defined by their link (stylistically) to two schools of Chan Buddhism

Northern-precise and academic

Tied to Buddhist (Northern) view of “gradualism” – that enlightenment
comes after long training
Was home to highly trained court painters

Southern-more subjective, free

Tied to Southern Buddhist thinking that enlightenment comes suddenly
Were more of the literati-expressive

Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911)

Invaders from Manchuria (north) overran China 17th century

Established imperial rule in north; south initially still rebellious but was
eventually pacified too
Promoted traditional Chinese arts
• Literati style continued
• But new styles emerged - use of more saturated ink and
brushwork patterning
European missionaries arrived and introduced European painting/art
styles/techniques esp. High Renaissance and Baroque

Modern China
1912-present

Rise of social realism is art under communists

Korea

Art Context
Philosophy, Styles

Philosophy
• painting as personal expression, not just technical skill
• artists as distinct from court painters
Vocabulary

Literati-the Chinese scholar class. Influenced a style of painting and

expression that was linked to the educated and elite of society.