Asian Art Trivia (I Hate It Here)

Travelers Among Mountains and Streams: This piece took inspiration from what type of ideology? (Also, this piece was his only known surviving work)

Neo-Confucianism, Li (principles), and Qi (vital force). Also literati ideology (prioritizing expression of harmony and nature over power and wealth ex. Summer Trees)

Travelers Among Mountains and Streams: What is the purpose of the mountains in relation to the people?

The landscape is purposefully imposing, meant to symbolize how large nature is compared to humanity (hierarchy of scale)

Travelers Among Mountains and Streams: What is the purpose of the red seal on the top of the silk scroll?

Seal is used to show who owns the piece. Would be stamped over if possession of piece switched hands.

The David Vases: What technique was used to shape the clay?

Coiling technique- uniform stands of clay would be coiled and smoothed in layers, until the vase is fully made (throwing technique came later)

The David Vases: What is the color, it’s origin, and its implication

The color is cobalt blue, it came from Iran (through Silk Road), and was an extremely valuable and exotic color because of that (making the vases valuable by proxy)

The David Vases: What does the inscription at the top say at the top of the vase? Also, what culture is seen in the way it presents it’s images and why?

Inscription says when is was and who had it commissioned. The culture correlated with the piece is Islamic because it uses natural imagery (animals) instead of portraiture (which was against the Islamic belief).

White and Red Plum Blossoms: What style does this piece use? (gold background and a bold style)

Rinpa Style (gold background and bold style). That style is influenced by Yamoto-e, which is known for being vigorous and flowing (like “Under the Wave Off Kanagawa“) which was popular for Chinese folding screen during Tang

White and Red Plum Blossoms: What is the moving and non-moving aspect of the piece?

The river is the moving piece while the trees are the non-moving part, making piece appear in motion.

Under the Wave Off Kanagawa: What is the significance of it’s method of being made?

The Polychrome Woodblock Prints were widely available at the time, showing that art is something not reserved for elites. 

Under the Wave Off Kanagawa: What kind of print is this piece?

An ukiyo-e print; illustrates a scene that is passing, momentary; unique won’t happen again

Under the Wave Off Kanagawa: What kind of blue does this piece use and why is it important?

Uses Prussian blue and Bero blue, which were exotic colors in Japan at the time. Also, most prints were just black and white, making the use of color notable as well

Under the Wave Off Kanagawa: What kind of shapes does it use and what is the word used to describe the illusion of depth in this print?

Uses triangles (waves, mountains, boats) and has “Repoussoir“, meaning to have an image in front that makes illusion of depth

Summer Trees: What technique is used for this piece?

Ink water technique-paper soaked in wate

Summer Trees: Is piece balanced or symmetrical?

Balanced, but not symmetrical

Summer Trees: What would the painter be considered of this piece? (HINT: Same as Fan Kuan who made “Travelers Among Mountains and Streams“)

A reclusive scholar: an isolated individual from society but a respected part of the community. Pieces typically hold literati ideology