How to Read Chinese Paintings
The Chinese often use the expression du hua, to read a painting,” in connection with their study and appreciation of such works. This volume closely reads” thirty-six masterpieces of Chinese painting from the encyclopedic collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in order to reveal the major...
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The Chinese often use the expression du hua, to read a painting,” in connection with their study and appreciation of such works. This volume closely reads” thirty-six masterpieces of Chinese painting from the encyclopedic collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in order to reveal the major characteristics and themes of this rich pictorial tradition. The book examines multiple layers of meaningstyle, technique, symbolism, past traditions, and the artist’s personal circumstancesthrough accessible texts and numerous large color details. A dynastic chronology, map, and list of further readings supplement the text. Spanning a thousand years of Chinese art, these landscapes, flowers, birds, figures, religious subjects, and calligraphies illuminate the main goal of every Chinese artist: to capture not only the outer appearance of a subject but also its inner essence.
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Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780300141870 (0300141874)
Publish date: August 1st 2008
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pages no: 184
Edition language: English