Heaven & earth in Chinese art: treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Uittreksel

This publication presents some of the highest artistic achievements in Chinese history. Drawn from the exceptional collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei - and covering 5000 years from the Neolithic period to the nineteenth century - it includes paintings, calligraphies, bronzes, ceramics, jades, maps and historical documents. Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei celebrates the rich heritage of Chinese culture through the ancient Chinese concept of 'tian ren he yi' - unity or harmony between heaven, nature, and humanity. As expressed by Song dynasty scholar Zhang Zai (1020-77), who developed this concept of unity, "nature is the result of the fusion and intermingling of the vital forces (qi) that assume tangible forms. Mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, animals, and human beings are all modalities of energy--matter, symbolizing that the creative transformation of the Tao [Dao] is forever present." Similar expressions of this unity are common to the three major philosophical and religious traditions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism that form the foundation of the Chinese belief system. 'Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art' includes over eighty artworks of outstanding beauty covering paintings, calligraphy, illustrated books, bronzes, ceramics, and jade and wood carvings.

Inhoud

Forewords / Michael Brand, Chen Chi-nan -- Heaven and earth in Chinese art / Yin Cao -- Nature in Chinese philosophy / Karyn Lai -- The works of art -- Heaven and earth -- Seasons -- Places -- Landscape -- Humanity -- List of works and entries -- Timeline of Chinese dynasties -- Selected bibliography.