Chapter 17: Traditional Arts of

Asia
As we look at the art of Asia, notice
how the human form is rendered
compared to the Classical West.

Historical Map of Asia

How are these renderings of

the human form different?

Spear Bearer, Classical Greek Sculpture

5th century

Male Torso. Harrappa, Indus Valley

C. 2400-2000 B.C.E.

Although most Indians today are

Hindu, Buddhism dominated the
formative years of Indian Art and
influenced other areas of Asia.

Here we see the evolution of Buddhist

architecture A merging of the Indian Stupa and
the traditional Chinese watchtower, to the
Japanese pagoda. Page 273

What are the 4 Noble Truths

of Buddhism?
1) Existence is full of suffering.
2) The cause of suffering is desire.
3) To eliminate suffering, one must
eliminate desire.
4) To eliminate desire, one must follow
the moral code of the Eightfold Path,
which regulates speech, thought
and action.

What is a stupa? Give an

example of a stupa and what it
was used for.

Great Stupa, Sanchi, India 10 B.C.E. 15 c.e.

The Ganhara
Style
Alexander the Greats conquest
of parts of West Asia caused an
artistic fusion of Western styles
with Eastern styles.
Here the sculptor shows
knowledge of the realism of
Roman portraiture, as well as
the classical Greek method of
revealing a subjects body
under clothing. Page 274
This sculpture depicts a
bodhisattva, a person who is on
the point of achieving
enlightenment but delays this in
order to stay on earth. They are
typically depicted wearing rich
garments and jewels. Page 274

Gupta Style
Gupta style combines native
Indian styles with the
naturalism of the Gandhara.
Standing Buddha is a good
example of this style.
When we say that the figure
is idealized, what do we
mean?
How is buddhas dress and
hair style symbolic of his
teaching?
He is also shown in
meditation (contrasting the
Western styles of God and
Christ as active beings).
Page 274

Who are the three

principle gods of Hindu
art?

Which god is the the most

revered in art and
architecture?

Compare and contrast the portrayal of Shiva (Shiva

Nataraja, Shiva as King of Dance) with Krishna (The
Approach of Krishna). What do the different ways
they are shown have to do with their functions as
gods?

What three traditions

characterized ancient
Chinese civilization?

In whose tomb were the Terra Cotta Warriors found?

1A) Tao te Ching
2B) Confucius
3C) Qin Shihuangdi
4D) Huai-Su
5E) Wang Xizhi

Explain the concept of qi and give

an example of how it relates to
Chinese art?
Page 284
The Mirror with
Xiwangmu
Bronze
China
Early 6th dynasty
period

What is the role of

calligraphy in traditional
arts of Asia?
Huai-su
Detail of Autobiography
Tang dynasty 7-10th
century
Ink on paper

The Northern Song

Dynasty
Most Chinese landscapes rendered no
specific place. They typically drew
from memory, working with
atmospheric perspective. The
intention was to capture the spirit of
nature.
The Northern Song paintings were
monumental and philosophical. They
wanted to capture the more powerful
aspects of nature
Fan Kuan
Travelers Among Mountains and
streams
Hanging Scroll. Ink on silk

Who are the literati painters? Describe

one of their innovations in brushwork and
subject matter.

Wu Chen
Album Leaf
Ink on
Paper
1350


Who is one corner Ma?
Why was he called this?
(right) Ma Yuan
Watching the Deer by a
Pine-Shaded Stream
Southern Song dynasty ink
on silk
A painter of the Southern
Song dynasty, more
intimate and personal
landscapes.

What techniques or
materials did Chinese
potters use to fill in etched
surface decoration?
Wine Pitcher
Koryo
dynasty
Korea
mid 12th
century
Stoneware

Briefly describe how the

Shinto religion relates to
architecture.
Main Shrine
Ise, Japan
c 685
Rebuilt every
20 years

What are three features of

Japanese painting?
Hand Scroll
Hanging Scroll
Folding Screen

Handscroll

The scroll is unrolled and the story is

viewed typically from left to right.

Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace ink and colors on paper c. 1208

The Hanging
Scroll
Sesshu Toyo
Haboku, Splashed Ink
Landscape
1400s
Ink on paper
This artist painted in a
simple, explosive style
called hoboku
meaning flung ink.

Folding
Screen
Provided privacy by separating areas
within rooms. A painted screen within
the living space becomes a major
element in the interior.

Tawaraya Sotatsu
Waves at Matsusima
17th cent. Ink, color,
gold, silver on paper

Tawaraya Sotatsus Waves at Matsushima were painted so that

they can function artworks on their own or together. The
subject is a pair of islands where there were Shinto Shrines.

Woodblock
Prints
Japanese artists took the Chinese
woodcut technique and turned it
into a popular art form.
Hundreds of thousands of these
prints were produced, called
ukiyo-e meaning pictures of the
floating world. Depicting everyday
life.
These artists used flat shapes
emphasized by the lack of shading.
This cropped composition was an
element that influenced European
artists in the 19th century.
Kitagawa Utamaro
Reflected Beauty, Sven Beauties
Applying Make-up: Okita c 1790

How does the artist Kitagawa Utamaro emphasize flat shapes in his
Reflected Beauty, Seven Beauties Applying Make-Up (fig. 438)?
A) Texture
B) Absence of shading
C) Lack of color
4)

Pattern

5)

Complementary colors