Revolution of Art in China Essay Example

specific time and place (Freedman). Art has been an integral part of human existence since the Stone Age, evident in early sculptures in caves created based on observation and imagination, and paintings dating back 10,000 years discovered through radiocarbon analysis, proving that art existed even in societies viewed by some as "barbaric" (Honour).

In the past, pottery and clay art were the primary forms of artistic expression. However, as time progressed, people began displaying their creativity through building construction (Kleinbauer). Religion has played a crucial role in shaping art across various societies globally. This impact is evident in their buildings' architecture, ceramics, clothing designs, sculptures and paintings. The concept of beauty in artwork for these societies is influenced by their belief systems (Honour).

Art has evolved over time, expanding beyond traditional sculptures and paintings to include depictions of emotions and thoughts. Modern Art emphasizes experimentation with new techniques, materials, and functions rather than realism. This approach applies to photography as well, challenging traditional methods of idealization and representation for artistic expression.

In the 19th century, Modern Art was associated with matters concerning society and economy while focusing mainly on painting and print making as a Western movement. However, as the century progressed, it also encompassed sculpture and architecture leading to the emergence of various movements that constitute the Modern Era.

During the 20th century, various artistic movements attempted to represent universal values and reality in an artistic manner, such as "Modern art." These movements included Impressionism, rooted in Paris, and Expressionism, which originated in Germany. Inspiration was drawn from Japanese printmaking and innovative color techniques from Delacroix and Turner, as seen in the everyday-life paintings by Millet. At

the time, art needed to be accurate in its depictions of objects while expressing ideals or domestic life (Kleinbauer). Other noteworthy movements that emerged during this period were Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism, and Futurism.

Throughout the art history, many western ideals have been significant. Both naturalism and idealism have been prevailing philosophies in Europe since the medieval times. This form of art emphasizes close resemblance to nature, while maintaining traditional overall rhythm. The naturalistic style does not necessarily aim for precision, but rather presents figures in a dynamic composition.

The painting by Van Eycks (Kleinbauer) is an example of Western art revolution. This revolution was characterized by the use of female figures as symbols of enlightenment and liberty, which most artists wanted to convey during this period. Another virtue that often accompanied liberty was truth as depicted in Nicolas de Courteille's Allegory of Truth painting. However, some perceive this era to have contrasting ideals with what was actually occurring in reality.

In the 19th century, Europe saw a flourishing of arts schools and artists who made great creations of Romanticism, such as Theodore Gericault and Eugene Delacroix. Delacroix's painting even commemorated the French Revolution in 1830. However, despite the use of women as symbols of enlightenment and liberty in artistic representation, their rights and freedom were being suppressed (Honour). The development of landscape painting in France can also be attributed to The Barbizon School (Kleinbauer), while Realism was another genre that flourished during this time period.

The realist style of painting has generated much controversy because it portrays the harsh reality of life. This group of painters deviated from the norm by depicting the bitterness of life instead

of the usual colorful and optimistic representations. Notable realist painters include Gustave Corurbet and Edouard Manet who depicted the middle-class lifestyle (Kleinbauer).

Albert Bierstadt, a renowned painter, captivated viewers with his breathtaking portrayals of nature. His work is renowned for its significant contribution to American art history and he is widely respected as a 19th-century artist. Moreover, Bierstadt was affiliated with the Hudson River Group, which is acknowledged as America's first school of painting. While the term "Hudson River Group" was coined by art historians retrospectively, it denoted landscape painters who held comparable philosophical and religious convictions in depicting pristine natural landscapes.

Bierstadt belongs to the second generation of The Hudson River group, which includes Church, Cropsey, and Whittredge. The group was founded on the philosophies of Thomas Cole, who believed that in order to create an authentic composition, an artist needed to immerse himself in nature and carefully select and combine its elements to produce true art. Cole's principles and style were characterized by a detailed, finished approach that accurately depicted locations topographically.

The Hudson River Group of painters share a style that prioritizes capturing light and atmosphere in their compositions. Their philosophy asserts that art serves as an interpreter of nature, which in turn acts as an interpreter of God. Through their artwork, they showcase their interpretation of nature and emphasize its worth. One prominent member of the group is Albert Bierstadt, whose stunning depictions of nature continue to enthrall audiences today. Although born in Solingen, Germany, Bierstadt's family moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1833.

Biagell reports that Bierstadt was born on January 7, 1830 and passed away on February 18, 1902. He is recognized not

only as a landscape artist but also as the discoverer of America's beauty through his stunning portrayals of its scenery during his time. Bierstadt exhibited Native Americans in his artworks to showcase his admiration and reverence for the indigenous populace of America. Nevertheless, he had an innate belief that America was England's Eden and was exclusively meant for them by God. Mountain landscapes were Bierstadt's main focus in art, and some of his most valuable paintings comprise Indian Encampment at Shoshone Village (1860), The Rocky Mountains: Lander's Peak (1863), Autumn in the Sierras (1873), and The Landing of Columbus (1892).

According to Biagell, the paintings Autumn in the Sierras (1873) and The Landing of Columbus (1892) are considered by Bierstadt to be national treasures. Meanwhile, western influences started to appear in China as early as 842, but it was not until the 80s that China became more exposed to western culture and elements. This led to the flourishing of western-style music and films in mainland China and even some Chinese teenagers attempting to adopt western-style dressing.

Despite the incorporation of Western components, Chinese customs have maintained many traditional practices. The Chinese populace is united by language and faith, with Confucianism and Taoism playing a significant role in shaping their way of life. Additionally, the spiritual philosophy of achieving equilibrium is reflected in Chinese dietary habits.

Individuals who adhere to the yin and yang philosophy aim for equilibrium in their dietary decisions. They achieve this by incorporating various colors, textures, and ingredients into their cooking, which encourages shared dining experiences. This practice holds significant importance during occasions like the Chinese New Year and other festivities.

Chinese New Year is

different from the western New Year as it is determined by the moon phase (The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy). In the northern Wei dynasty, abstract expression was a prominent design style and evolution of strokes can be observed in sculptures found in the cave of Yungang Shanxi during the late fifth century. These sculptures depict Buddha and are integrated into the interior design of the cave (Sullivan). Writing in China, also known as Calligraphy, was not just a means of communication through letters and words, but held deeper significance.

Chinese calligraphy is highly respected as an art form by the Chinese people. It is considered both historically and currently as a way of expressing oneself artistically. Learning Chinese calligraphy involves a process similar to learning how to paint, where the social perception of what is valuable and what is not plays a crucial role. Creating a good piece of calligraphy requires careful attention and dedication, just like painting. Every stroke and shade of a character must be written with care as even the slightest difference can alter the original intended meaning.

Wang Xizhi (303-61), who was instructed by Wei Shou, aristocrats of the Jin dynasty's post-Han era, is widely regarded as China's greatest calligrapher ever (Clunas). The 12th and 13th centuries brought about a pivotal shift in how artists presented their artworks due to commercialization. This period also resulted in changes to the structure and expression of ideas. While commercialization had an impact on China's economic status, its influence on artists' creative processes cannot be overlooked.

In this era, numerous skilled Chinese artists were able to exhibit their creations to the audience. The artworks mainly portrayed

natural elements, Zodiac animals, landscapes, opera faces, figure painting, mountains, and cranes using traditional black and white colors. The public played a pivotal role in assessing an artist's work and determining its value and importance for potential acquisition or recognition (Glubok). Every country has its distinct method of conserving history and illustrating past occurrences.

Every person has their unique method of recalling their history. For instance, some opt to maintain journals and diaries, while others prefer paintings and photographs. Paintings constitute an art form that, similar to beauty, varies depending on the appreciation of the observer. For example, Gou Xi's Early Spring is a painting that can evoke diverse interpretations from its viewers. Guo Xi, a Chinese landscape artist from the late 11th century, created this masterpiece.

Guo Xi, a renowned painter from his era, produced several notable works, including his masterpiece Early Spring created in 1072. This painting is revered in the Northern Song monumental landscape tradition as a work of genius. Beyond its artistic merit, Early Spring by Guo Xi holds significant cultural and historical meaning for Chinese society during his time.

The sight of early spring is truly magnificent, evoking a feeling of divine presence over the landscape, encompassing the lake and the trees. Even a mere gaze at the painting can prompt one to delve into deeper thoughts. Guo Xi believed that a painting should not simply imitate a narrow window-like view of a scene but should adopt a holistic approach to depict a specific location. In Early Spring, Guo Xi achieved exactly that by portraying a comprehensive view of the place. One expert in painting interpreted the painting as featuring three types

of trees. The bending trees that Guo Xi anthropomorphically described as holding one's creeds; the crouching, gnarled trees were seen as analogous to individuals clinging to their virtues, while the vertical trees were likened to people who remain conscious of their surroundings (politics) and thrive.

The brush used by Chinese painters has a finer tip compared to the Western brush, allowing for greater control in producing variations in line. Calligraphy, which is also considered an art in China, has contributed to the development of artistic styles and techniques in Chinese paintings (Croizier). This difference can be observed in Northern Song Landscape Painting.

Chinese paintings distinguish figures through prominent shading, texture, and dotting methods, while utilizing brush strokes to convey rhythm, beauty, and the traits of the subject. In addition, this style of painting reflects the personality and style of the painter (Croizier). Chinese color selection conveys emotions tied to a single source of light.

The primary contrast between the use of colors in Chinese and Western cultures lies in how they express them. Unlike Western paintings, Chinese paintings do not follow strict rules regarding composition and space usage. This allows painters to employ as much space as they desire to convey the intended message through their work. Additionally, inscriptions are sometimes added to Chinese paintings to enhance the conveyed message.

According to Croizier, traditional Chinese paintings usually portray abstract or landscape themes, aiming to communicate natural beauty and specific ideals and emotions through the utilization of color, space, and brushstrokes. Nevertheless, in the 20th century, China experienced political uncertainty and social turmoil that disadvantaged numerous artists. The shutdowns of schools and daily struggles made it appear unfeasible

to produce art that could fulfill their increasing requirements.

During a period of cultural revolution in China, traditionalists and reformers clashed over the country's best interests which affected the style and theme of paintings and artworks. The era was characterized by alternating periods of oppression and relaxation, despair and hope as citizens fought for change while the government explained its position. Artists encountered challenges when attempting to express their ideas amidst this time of new beliefs. However, it appears that present-day China no longer poses such obstacles for artists.

Over time, what was once taboo and unacceptable in Chinese society is now gaining recognition and allowing artists the opportunity to restore their reputation. In the 80s, the government frequently prohibited avant-garde art groups and sales of paintings tagged as "avant-garde" were low. However, nowadays these types of art are highly valued and are top sellers in the Chinese market.

The government's relaxation in regulating art and paintings is a welcome change, as seen in the example of "avant-garde" art depicting Mao Zedong. Chinese "avant-garde" art is now recognized globally thanks to technology and globalization. The connection between humans and their environment is defined by geographic concepts and our sense of place. Unlike computers, humans are complex beings that cannot be reduced to mere information inputs.

Although five individuals may witness the same object, their interpretations will vary as a result of personal perspectives. This inconsistency emerges from how life experiences influence observations. Rather than pursuing complete accuracy, it is crucial to comprehend that questioning conventional beliefs results in increased comprehension and consciousness. The 21st century has been characterized by extraordinary technological progress.

Despite changes and innovations, Chinese

painters still draw inspiration from the natural world. The subject of nature has always been popular in Chinese painting, with varying styles. These paintings not only showcase the beauty of nature but also communicate Chinese culture and beliefs. Additionally, art and media have a crucial influence on people's perceptions of different concepts.

There are multiple methods to disseminate a message and persuade the public of its credibility. It can be challenging to differentiate between them without making comparisons. The interpretation is vital for both poems and paintings. Poems serve as not only artistic representations but also communicate profound sentiments and principles that mirror the author's cultural and ecological context. Similar to paintings, individuals hold diverse understandings of a specific poem.

By exploring the mind, we can expand our perspective beyond a limited, window-like view. Critical thinking, which is often present in mature adult minds, entails questioning provided information and evaluating whether it conforms to our personal beliefs. Making wise decisions about the changes we embrace for growth is crucial since change is an unchanging aspect of life.

Just like any other art, Chinese art has evolved throughout time. However, it would be incorrect to assert that one era's artwork is better than another's. Each period had its unique qualities, but even the field of art must adapt to changes.