Art in China

Art in China provides a survey of Chinese art from the Neolithic period through the twentieth century. The text covers painting, sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, and other media while examining their roles in Chinese society and culture. Clunas structures the book chronologically but moves beyond mere description of artifacts to analyze the social context of art production and consumption. The writing addresses how different dynasties, belief systems, and political forces shaped artistic development and expression throughout Chinese history. Through examination of specific works and broader patterns, the book explores questions about the nature of Chinese art and its relationship to power, wealth, and identity. The analysis challenges Western assumptions about art while illuminating the complex ways artistic practices reflected and influenced Chinese civilization over thousands of years.

Readers value this book as a solid academic introduction to Chinese art history. The clear organization by historical periods and inclusion of both major and lesser-known works makes it useful for students and art enthusiasts. Liked: - Comprehensive coverage from ancient to contemporary periods - Quality of images and illustrations - Accessible academic writing style - Detailed analysis of social/political context Disliked: - Dense, scholarly tone can be challenging for casual readers - Some sections feel rushed or oversimplified - Limited coverage of certain art forms like calligraphy - Small image size in paperback edition A Goodreads reviewer noted: "Excellent reference but requires prior knowledge of Chinese history." An Amazon reader commented: "Too academic for beginners but perfect for university courses." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (28 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (12 ratings)

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🔸 Author Craig Clunas was the first-ever Professor of Chinese Art at Oxford University, holding this groundbreaking position from 2007 to 2018. 🔸 The book challenges traditional Western approaches to Chinese art history by examining art objects in their social and economic contexts rather than just their aesthetic value. 🔸 While most art history books focus on elite traditions, "Art in China" also explores folk art and popular culture, including items like New Year prints and modern propaganda posters. 🔸 The text covers an enormous timespan of 5000 years, from Neolithic pottery to contemporary Chinese art installations, making it one of the most comprehensive single-volume surveys of Chinese art. 🔸 Clunas deliberately chose to use the phrase "Art in China" rather than "Chinese Art" for the title, acknowledging the complex multicultural nature of art created within China's geographical boundaries.