WesMaps - Wesleyan University Catalog 2015-2016       Summer Session       Winter Session       Home       Archive       Search
CS92PROD
Understanding the Arts of Imperial China: Content and Methods
ARHA 182
Fall 2015
Section: 01  
Crosslisting: CEAS 166

With its long history and diverse culture, Imperial China was known for its rich and complex traditions in art. From the magnificent terracotta warriors and splendid court paintings, to delicate blue-and-white porcelain, these artworks not only testify to the complexity of the society that produced them, they also suggest visual principles and ideological premises by which they can be understood. This course offers an introduction to the important roles that art played in the society of Imperial China, and discusses their visual principles and ideological premises so we can comprehend the artworks themselves. By examining three large groups of artworks from Imperial China that is, ritual objects and monuments from the early periods, courtly paintings and calligraphy from the middle periods, and commercial goods of factory art from the late imperial periods, we will look at the relationship of form and content, the materiality of artworks, questions of the artist's agency, and the context in which artworks were produced, transmitted, and consumed. The goal of this course is to encourage interest in the arts and culture of Imperial China as well as basic issues in the field of art history.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ART
Course Format: Lecture / DiscussionGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (ARHA-MN)(CEAS-MN)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-28-2024
Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email ? Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459