Chapter 33: China and Korea, 1279 to 1980

Preview: Mongols invaded China in 1210, and Kublai Khan, a grandson of Ghengis Khan, became the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). Yuan artists continued working in established traditions in landscape painting and calligraphy, and in this period the city of Jingdezhen became known for its porcelain works with blue underglaze decoration. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was established after the defeat of the last Mongol emperor, and the Forbidden City, a vast imperial palace compound, was constructed in the capital of Beijing. Ming Dynasty artworks range from portraiture and landscape painting, to luxury items and furniture in lacquered wood. The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) was established by the invading Manchus, who embraced native Chinese art and culture. During this period, the painter Shitao experimented with bold forms and free brushwork, while the Jesuit artist Guiseppe Castiglione developed a painting style that blended Italian and Chinese elements. 20th century Chinese artists pursued traditional styles, but with the establishment of the Communist People’s Republic in 1949, artists were encouraged to produce state propaganda. In Korea, massive public monuments date from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). After World War II, Korea was divided into two republics, and many South Korean artists absorbed international styles and blended them with native artistic traditions.

Key sites: Jingdezhen, Beijing

Key Art & Architectural Terms: literati, handscroll, porcelain, underglaze, overglaze, stoneware, lacquer, colophons, calligraphy, character, album leaf

Lecture Notes:

Introductory Notes:

CHINA AND KOREA, 1279 TO 1980

China:

Yuan Dynasty:

  • Guan Daosheng, Bamboo Groves in Mist and Rain, Yuan dynasty, 1308
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Zhao Mengfu, Sheep and Goat, ca. 1300
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Wu Zhen, Stalks of Bamboo by a Rock, Yuan dynasty, 1347
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Huang Gongwang, Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, Yuan dynasty, 1347-1350
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Ni Zan, Rongxi Studio, 1372
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Temple vase, Yuan dynasty, 1351
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:

Ming Dynasty:

  • Forbidden City, Beijing, China, 15th century and later
  • Description & architectural features:
  • Function & significance:
  • Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing, China, Ming dynasty, 15th century and later
  • Description & architectural features:
  • Function & significance:
  • Throne room, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing
  • Description & architectural features:
  • Function & significance:
  • Table with drawers, Ming dynasty, ca. 1426-1435
  • Materials & scale:
  • Description & decorative features:
  • Significance:
  • Shang Xi, Guan Yu Captures General Pang De, Ming dynasty, ca. 1430
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Wangshi Yuan (Garden of the Master of the Fishing Nets), Suzhou, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century and later
  • Description, architectural and natural features:
  • Function & significance:
  • Liu Yuan (Lingering Garden), Suzhou, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century and later
  • Description, architectural and natural features:
  • Function & significance:
  • Shen Zhou, Lofty Mount Lu, Ming dynasty, 1467
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Shen Zhou, Poet on a Mountaintop, ca. 1490-1500
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Dong Qichang, Dwelling in the Qingbian Mountains, Ming dynasty, 1617
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Wen Shu, Carnations and Garden Rock, Ming dynasty, 1627
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:

Qing Dynasty:

  • Shitao, Man in a House beneath a Cliff, Qing dynasty, late 17th century
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining), Auspicious Objects, Qing dynasty, 1724
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:
  • Dish with lobed rim, Qing dynasty, ca. 1700
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:

People’s Republic:

  • Ye Yushan and others, Rent Collection Courtyard (detail), Dayi, China, 1965
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:

Korea:

Joseon Dynasty:

  • Namdaemun, Seoul, South Korea, Joseon dynasty, first built in 1398
  • Description & architectural features:
  • Function & significance:

Modern Korea:

  • Jeong Seon, Geumgangsan (Diamond) Mountains, Joseon dynasty, 1734
  • Medium, scale:
  • Description, subject & stylistic features:
  • Significance:

Concluding notes:

Exercises for Study:

1. Define the following terms and give an example for each:

lacquer

true porcelain

underglaze

overglaze

literati

2. Describe the features, symbolism, and function of the traditional Chinese garden.

3. Compare and contrast the following pairs of artworks, using the points of comparison as a guide.

A. Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing (Fig. 33-6); Namdaemun, Seoul, Sough Korea (Fig. 33-19)

  • Periods & locations of construction:
  • Architectural features:
  • Decorative features:
  • Function of buildings:

B. Huang Gongwang, Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (Fig. 33-4); Dong Qichang, Dwelling in the Qingbian Mountains (Fig. 33-13)

  • Period of production:
  • Medium, materials, & scale:
  • Stylistic features:
  • Subject & themes: