Bansonyi essays

Bansonyi essays Sharon Matute October 24, 1999 Art 100 007 Professor Sax Art can be used to study the progression of a civilization through time. Art is usually used to express ones beliefs religiously, politically, and sometimes as a source of communication, which is accomplished through imagery. Symbols in works of art can be related to nature and myths.1 From the beginning of Chinese history, art and philosophy worked hand-in-hand with the creation of a work of art. Chinese art was used as evidence of a persons behavior and attitude towards nature and other beings (e.g. the nicer the painting the better the person.)2 During the seventh and eighth centuries Chinese art was at its peak. China at this time was under the jurisdiction of the Tang Dynasty. Because of the beautiful work being manufactured China became a multinational society. Paintings and sculptures were not the only works that China would receive admiration for. Their music and literature (poems which sometimes explained works of art) were also at their richest points,3 Tang art has incomparable vigor, realism, dignity... There is an optimism, an energy, a frank acceptance of tangible reality which gives the same character to all Tang art, whether it be the most splendid fresco from the hand of a master or the humblest tomb figurine made by the village potter. (Sullivan 160) When a piece of artistic work was considered good all that really mattered was the amount of effort that went into the piece and not the derivation of the persons economic class. Scarce materials were used very often in the creation of Chinese artifacts. One of the mot famous and revered stones used was Jade, which was very hard and indestructible. Jade cannot be found in China; it was traded with Burma, which is located on the outer edge of China, so it is amazing to know how much work was done with it in the 600 and 70 ...