7 Looking Eastwards: Islam, China, second to thirteenth century Flashcards
What is the purpose of Chinese landscape painting in 12th and 13th centuries?
As an object of meditation. Landscapes were unfolded and became an object of meditation, like one might read and reread a poem.
How did Chinese landscape painters work from nature?
They learned how to paint various objects by looking at old masters, then would contemplate beauty of nature, then string together images they saw into fantasy landscapes.
What prompted the exploration of elaborate pattern in Muslim art?
The creation of representative images is forbidden in Islam.
What is a historical exception to the Islamic ban on the creation of images?
Persian illustration –which was allowed if no connection with religion (romances, fables, etc).
Identify, date, describe
Court of lions, Alhambra, Granada, Spain, 1377.
Lacework ornamentation known as arabesques.
Identify, date, describe
Persian carpet, 17th century.
Hallmarks of Persian carpet design:
- Floral motifs
- Main border surrounded by narrow secondary borders
- Medallion motifs distributed across carpet
- Herati (diamond) pattern
- Rich and warm color palette, with deep reds, blues, golds, and creams
The Western world became familiar with Islamic design through these rugs.
Identify, date, describe
Persian Prince Humay meets Chinese Princess Humayun in her garden, 1440
Miniature from romance.
Focus on pattern – like a carpet.
No foreshortening, perspective, light or modelling.
Identify, date, describe
Impression of tomb of Wu Liang-tse, province of Shantung, AD150
Similar to Egyptian art –depiction of everyday scenes.
But prefer swerving curves –horse is series of rounded circles.
Identify, date, describe
Luohan statue, c1000
Life-size glazed terracotta sculptures of luohans of Liao dynasty (907–1125) discovered in caves at I Chou, south of Beijing, before World War I.
Luohan is Chinese term for an arahant, disciple of Buddha to achieve enlightenment.
Buddhist art in China less concerned with telling story and more concerned with meditation.
Identify, date, describe
Ma Yuan, Landscape in Moonlight, c1200
Song Dynasty painter whose influential works formed the basis of the so-called Ma-Xia school (with Xia Gui).
So-called “one-corner” composition – subjects pushed to a corner, emphasizing harmony between humans and nature.
Sparse use of color, emphasizing the contrast and interplay of ink and space.
Paintings often accompanied by poetry.
Identify, date, describe
Kao Ko-Kung, Landscape After Rain, c1300
Bold technique –clouds formed by negative space.
Identify, date, describe
Three fishes, artist unknown, c1085
Song dynasty. Leaf from album.
Minimalist approach, capturing essence of the subjects with a few well-placed brushstrokes.
Fish traditionally represent abundance.
Describe the Song Dynasty?
Dates 960 to 1279 AD.
High point in classical Chinese arts and culture.
Invention of gunpowder, the compass and movable type printing.
Ended with defeat by Mongols under Kubla Khan in 1279, leading to establishment of Yuan dynasty.
What is literati painting?
Emerged during the Song dynasty.
Scholars and officials (cultural elite) who painted as form of personal expression or of ideas on philosophy, politics.
Usually simple in style and incorporating poetry. In contrast with more polished work of professional artists.
