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Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting

A detailed exploration of Chinese art through the ages

James Cahill author Hung Wu author Lang Shaojun author Richard Barnhart author Yang Xin author Nie Chongzheng author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Yale University Press

Published:11th Aug '02

Should be back in stock very soon

Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting cover

This comprehensive account details the history of Chinese painting, spanning three thousand years and offering insights into its rich traditions and techniques.

This book offers an illustrated and detailed account of the evolution of Chinese painting from its prehistoric origins to the contemporary era. Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting serves as an invaluable resource for both students and general readers seeking a deeper understanding of this rich artistic tradition. From the Neolithic petroglyphs to the exquisite landscapes created by twelve-century literati, the narrative captures the enduring allure of Chinese painting.

Written by a distinguished team of international scholars, Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting is the first comprehensive history that spans over three millennia. The authors draw from an array of museum collections, archives, and archaeological sites across China, many of which have not been previously accessible to Western audiences. More than 300 color reproductions showcase the finest examples of Chinese painting, making this work both enlightening for scholars and accessible to casual readers.

In this volume, the authors redefine the history of Chinese art, guiding readers through its various manifestations found in caves, temples, and museums. They introduce essential concepts such as the development of classical painting, the literati tradition, and the evolution of landscape art. Concluding with a glossary of techniques and a list of artists by dynasty, Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting is an essential guide for anyone interested in the depths of Chinese artistic heritage.

"An astonishing feat with much new to say to novice and specialist alike. . . . Broad surveys in the area have, of course, appeared many times before, but this one outclasses them on virtually every count."—Alan G. Artner, Chicago Tribune



"Exotic, beautiful, beguiling, and so luxuriously fat that you need four hands to hold it."—Financial Times & Weekend



"It is a daunting task to contain this vast subject within the covers of one volume, but the six authors of this Sino-American venture succeed in doing just that. They rewrite the history of Chinese painting wherever it is found—in caves, temples, or museum collections—from Neolithic times to the present day."—Caroline Blunden, The Art Newspaper



"A team of scholars has produced the essential guide to one of the world's greatest painting traditions, from ancient petroglyphs to handscrolls made in modern times."—Boston Sunday Globe



"A comprehensive history and reference that not only presents the best of Chinese painting but also explains its conventions and traditions. It includes a glossary of terms and a list of major painters by dynasty. In short, it's the best starting point for anyone who wants to learn about Chinese art."—Philadelphia Inquirer



"This is an extraordinary book and, given the West's limited acquaintance with the art it contains, a vitally necessary one."—Wan-Go Weng, Wall Street Journal



"One of the most complete and best-illustrated works on the topic of Chinese pictorial art available to both general readers and scholars."—Library Journal



"[A] magnificent book. . . . Accessible to the general reader and revelatory for the scholar, it provides the most up-to-date and detailed history of China's pictorial art available today."—Apollo



Winner of the 1997 Hawkins Award from the Arts Category given by the Professional/Scholarly Publishing Division of the Association of American Publishers

"This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date single volume account of Chinese painting from prehistoric times to the present. For some time to come, it will be an indispensable work for students and the general reader who wishes to gain an in-depth knowledge of Chinese painting. Not least among the merits of the book are the numerous illustrations and discussions of important paintings in Chinese museums hitherto little known outside China. This book, which is the first in the Culture and Civilization of China series, augurs well for the success of this significant and far reaching collaborative effort between scholars in and outside China. It is indeed a welcome development."—James Watt


ISBN: 9780300094473

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 1928g

416 pages