Art: A Brief History - Chapter 9 Later Asian Art Study Notes

Art: A Brief History - Chapter 9 Later Asian Art

Learning Objectives

  • 9.1 Discuss the effects of evolving Hindu traditions and the Mughal conquest on the later art of India and Southeast Asia.

  • 9.2 Trace the evolution of painting and ceramics in the later art of China and Korea.

  • 9.3 Identify important monuments and developments in the later art of Japan.

The Taj Mahal

  • Taj Mahal: Located in Agra, India.

    • Historical Context: Constructed during the Mughal period, specifically under the reign of Shah Jahan, around c. 1631-1648.

    • Significance: Considered an architectural masterpiece, symbolizing Mughal architecture.

Geography Map

  • Figure Map 9-1: Displays significant geographical features across Asia, including lakes, mountains, and major cities.

    • Highlighted Regions:

    • Xinjiang, Uzbekistan

    • Inner Mongolia

    • Gobi Desert

    • Various Chinese Provinces (e.g., Shaanxi, Henan)

    • Major Cities (e.g., Beijing, Tokyo, Agra)

Historical Context

  • Buddhism and Hinduism in India:

    • Decline of Buddhism (650-1526): Buddhism saw a significant decline in India while Hinduism rose to prominence during this period.

    • Buddhism in China: The Tang dynasty marked the height of Buddhism in China, transitioning towards a revival of Confucianism in the Song dynasty.

    • Influence on Japan: Buddhism notably impacted cultural and artistic practices in Japan during the Heian period, particularly regarding Zen Buddhism.

Indian and Southeast Asian Development

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

  • Temple Overview:

    • Construction Date: Approximately c. 1000.

    • Deity: Dedicated to the god Shiva.

    • Architectural Features:

    • Shikhara: The prominent structure above the ceiling housing an image of the deity.

    • Finial and Amalaka: The finial points to the intersection of earthly and cosmic realms.

    • Imaginary Axis Mundi: Represents a spiritual connection from the finial to the deity’s image, emphasizing cosmological significance.

    • Sculptures: Includes figures depicting gods, goddesses, and erotic couples, enriching the architectural experience.

Influences on Hindu Art

  • Developments:

    • Tantric (Esoteric) practices in the north and Bhakti (devotional) movements in the south influenced Hindu art.

  • Shiva Nataraja:

    • Depiction: Bronze representation of Shiva as the Lord of Dance from the Chola dynasty (c. 11th century CE).

    • Gestures: Includes the gesture of reassurance and a liberation gesture, illustrating divine benevolence and awareness.

The Mughal Empire

Overview of Mughal Influence

  • Time Period: Predominantly during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

  • Akbar's Contribution:

    • Established an imperial workshop for painters, blending Persian artistic styles with Indian naturalism.

Jahangir and Shah Abbas Painting

  • Double Portrait:

    • Illustrates Jahangir's dominance, positioned on a lion signifying imperial power.

    • Diplomatic Significance: Potentially a gift to Shah Abbas, demonstrating diplomatic relations between empires.

Architectural Achievements

  • Taj Mahal Construction Details:

    • Commissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife.

    • Design Elements:

    • Geometric symmetry reflected through identical facades of iwans and flanked by smaller structures.

    • Surrounded by four minarets.

Rajput Painting and Luxury Arts

Painting Workshops

  • Established by Rajput rulers, these workshops produced refined artworks influenced by the Bhakti movement's poetic traditions.

  • The Hour of Cowdust:

    • Medium: Gouache on paper, embodying depictions of Krishna amidst cowherds, exuding enchantment and grace.

Luxury Arts

  • Materials: Rock crystal, ivory, mother-of-pearl, jewelry, and metalwork, produced for both export and local markets.

  • Historical Shift: Loss of distinctive styles occurred with the rise of Sikh and British control in the region (c. 1826-1846).

Decorative Arts and Context

  • Ivory Box Panel: Represents luxury in Indian decorative arts, albeit lacking records of their origins.

  • Artistic Detail: Intense and sensuous courtly romance depicted in intricate detail throughout the panel.

Cambodian Art

  • Indigenous Khmer Religion: Developed state religion centered on divine rulers at Angkor.

  • Angkor Wat:

    • Commissioned By: Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu.

    • Architectural Features: Square-within-square design with a tall central tower encircled by four smaller ones.

China and Korea

Song Dynasty Art

  • Patronage: Continued during the Song dynasty (960-1279), enabling artistic prosperity.

  • Seated Guanyin Bodhisattva:

    • Artistic Representation: Carved wooden figure demonstrating serene posture (royal ease).

    • Historically Restored: Repainting and gilding occurred in the sixteenth century, thus preserving its grandeur.

Philosophical Underpinnings

  • Neo-Confucianism: A renewed focus incorporating metaphysical concepts such as li (principle) and qi (vital energy.)

    • Impacts on Art: Influenced landscape painting, which represented spiritual communion with nature as a pathway to enlightenment.

Major Artists and Works

  • Fan Kuan: Noted for Travelers Among Mountains and Streams, characterized by multi-layered composition and avoidance of linear perspective for emotional expressiveness.

  • Xia Gui: Known for intimate landscapes exemplifying simplified forms in Twelve Views of Landscape.

Song Ceramics

  • Guan Ware: Defined by its exquisite crackled glaze, representing high value in Song ceramics.

Mongol Influence

  • Fall of Southern Song (1279): Followed by the establishment of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), leading to innovative expressions in art among literati scholars.

  • Zhao Mengfu: Created Autumn Colors on the Qiao and Hua Mountains, reflecting archaic techniques reminiscent of Tang aesthetics.

Ming and Later Chinese Art

  • Revival of academic traditions during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) contrasted the Literati's tastes for antiquity.

  • Emergence of Porcelain: Distinguished by cobalt blue underglaze, creating striking contrasts within white glazing.

Forbidden City

  • Ming Imperial Palace: Its architecture symbolizes the emperor's divine role and serves as a representation of harmony with the universe.

Korean Art

Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties

  • Goryeo Dynasty: Noted for celadon glaze techniques and decorative artistry, exemplified in bottles with bamboo and geese motifs.

  • Joseon Dynasty: Shift towards depicting local landscapes, notably through Jeong Seon's works.

Genre Paintings in Korea

  • Popularity of Common Life Depictions: Artists focused on narratives involving laborers, capturing both the activities and emotions of commoners.

Japanese Art

Heian Period

  • Cultural Development: Flourished under peaceful conditions, leading to the evolution of Japanese literature and language with the introduction of Pure Land Buddhism.

Byodo-in Temple

  • Architectural Expression: Features a central Amida Buddha statue crafted with joined-block construction techniques, enhancing its size yet preserving delicacy.

Kana Script and Literature

  • Development of kana script facilitated poetry writing through simpler systems compared to kanji. The Ishiyama-gire stands as a decorated poetical corpus of the Heian period.

The Tale of Genji

  • A hallmark of Japanese literature written by Lady Murasaki, notable as possibly the first novel in world history, depicting life at court with rich artistic motifs.

Zen and Kamakura Influences

  • Established a new military governance tradition through Minamoto Yoritomo in Kamakura. Zen art reflected a disciplined approach to life and aesthetics.

Momoyama and Edo Periods

  • Fusuma Murals: Intricate designs in Zen monasteries, particularly at Daitoku-ji, showcasing symbolic nature themes.

  • Ukiyo-e Prints: Block-printed artworks celebrating popular culture during the Edo period, becoming well-recognized globally despite their original non-fine art status.

Conclusion

Think About It

  • Explore the integration of Islamic traditions in the Taj Mahal's architecture.

  • Analyze the elements of Song landscape painting as demonstrated in Fan Kuan's work.

  • Compare the Japanese art representations in the highlighted figures throughout the chapter.

Copyright Notice

  • All content is protected under U.S. copyright law, emphasizing the importance of educational integrity and usage restrictions for instructors only.