For the Non-Western blog I knew I had to go to China. No other country has been politically, culturally, or economically relevant as China throughout history. For thousands of years China has been a hub for trade and a nation with the richest history on Earth. I wanted to find a snippet of that history where artistic influence was at a high point.
The Tang Dynasty was a time of political innovation and artistic expression in China. During the rise of Tang rule they were successful at conquering China beginning in the far East. The early success of the Empire was attributed to its military strength and competent bureaucracy and leadership. There was a limited number of estates and many men where given small plots of land in which they must pay tax upon generating large wealth for the empire and bringing economic prosperity to the region. During the Tang Dynasty the empire spread far West after the defeat of the Eastern Turks and led to the expansion of China into Central Asia as it is known today. There was a standardization of reading material and a creation of high quality schools in the capital and surrounding regions established for the aristocracy creating a more highly educated upper class.
The first piece I have chosen for this post is Imperial Sedan Chair created by Yan Liben finished in 634CE. Yan Liben was among the first generation of aristocrats born into the Tang Dynasty. His talent for portrait painting led him to be Prime Minister of literature and the arts. He was one of the most notable figures during the early dynasty in recording important historical events through his artwork. The piece itself depicts Emperor Taizong receiving an envoy from the Tibetan people representing increased relations between the two peoples. The painting was created on silk which required extremely light brushwork. There was a limited use of color due to the cost of obtaining certain colors. The use of red represented wealth, prosperity, and happiness in Chinese culture. Green represents health and harmony. Liben was a devout Taoist which believed deeply in harmony and balance. This is depicted in his work as you two fans symmetrical to each other and five women on each side of the emperor to create this balance. There is minimal shading used in the painting due to the difficulty to remove ink from the silk leaving little room for error.
The next piece I have chosen is
Seated Court Lady created in the 8th century the golden age of the Tang Dynasty. There is no artist attributed to the ceramic sculpture but there is a lot of meaning in its creation. The Tang Dynasty in some ways was a time of progressiveness for the Eastern World. Wu Zeitan became the first and only female ruler of China. She rose to power as the first Empress of the Tang dynasty and the importance of women grew throughout the empire. The round face of the woman depicted was considered the beauty standard at the time. Skinny women were considered less desirable and the hairstyle depicted was one of thirty different woman hairstyles considered fashionable at the time. Individualistic expression for women grew during this time period considerably. The use of green for her dress was to signify the use of bright colors popularized during the time. In the bottom left there is a lap dog depicted. During the Tang Dynasty the Pekingese dog breed showed up. They were very popular among the rulers of the Tang Dynasty and subjects were expected to bow before the dog. Other dogs like the Chow Chow were also popular during this time and it was rumored that a certain emperor had 2500 of them. The use of clear-toned glaze was also a somewhat recent invention creating the shiny reflective look on her dress which furthers the symbolization of the importance of fashion in the Dynasty.
The final piece I have chosen is Horse and Female Rider created in the 7th Century. The artist is unknown but the region it was created in was the far Northwest. This further solidifies the expansion of the empire into Central Asia. The ceramic figure depicts a rather large brown horse. Horses were critically important to the Tang as they were used in military operations, transportation long distances, status symbols for the aristocracy, and as riding was also a popular leisurely activity. The woman is depicted in more modest clothing and a large sun hat. Knowing that this sculpture was created in the far West, a poorer less developed region of the Dynasty, signifies the widespread use of small land plots to create opportunity for the subjects of the region. It is likely this woman was a farmer from the recently conquered Eastern Turkish lands. It is interesting the comparison between this ceramic piece and the previous. This piece does not have the same clear-toned glaze which alludes to the fact that the technique may have not yet reached the West. The investment in education and artistic endeavors was reserved only to the aristocratic ruling class in the fart East leaving the Central and Western regions of the Empire to be more rugged, less developed, and much less educated than the Eastern regions.
Works Cited
Guide to Tang Dynasty Horses. Antique Collecting Magazine.
Horse and Female Rider. The Met Fifth Ave.
Seated Court Lady. The Met Fifth Ave.
Tang Dynasty. Britannica.
The Art of Chinese Silk Painting. China Art Lover.
The Year of the Dog: Celebrating Six Fascinating Chinese Breeds. American Kennel Club.
Yan Liben. Chinese Fine Art Gallery.
The painting "Imperial Sedan Chair" by Yan Liben has captivated me with its intricate details and historical significance. As you pointed out, the delicate brushwork on the silk, combined with the thoughtfully selected colors, serves not only to enhance the visual appeal but also to convey deeper meanings and emotions. This level of artistry showcases the skill and experience that Yan Liben possessed, reflecting the high standards of craftsmanship from that era.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the use of silk in the painting can be linked to the influences of the Tang Dynasty, a period renowned for its cultural exchange and prosperity. The trading routes that connected China with the West during this time played a pivotal role in the exchange of goods and artistic ideas, which is beautifully illustrated in this work. The painting not only highlights the opulence associated with imperial life but also offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of interactions between different cultures. Great post!