Art in China (Oxford History of Art)

Book Description

China can boast a history of art lasting 5,000 years and embracing a huge diversity of images and objects - jade tablets, painted silk handscrolls and fans, ink and lacquer painting, porcelain-ware, sculptures, and calligraphy. They range in scale from the vast `terracotta army' with its 7,000 or so life-size figures, to the exquisitely delicate writing of fourth-century masters such as Wang Xizhin and his teacher, `Lady Wei'. But this rich tradition has not, until now, been fully appreciated in the West where scholars have focused their attention on sculpture, downplaying art more highly prized by the Chinese themselves such as calligraphy. Art in China marks a breakthrough in the study of the subject. Drawing on recent innovative scholarship and on newly-accessible studies in China itself Craig Clunas surveys the full spectrum of the visual arts in China. He ranges from the Neolithic period to the art scene of the 1980s and 1990s, examining art in a variety of contexts as it has been designed for tombs, commissioned by rulers, displayed in temples, created for the men and women of the educated ilite, and bought and sold in the marketplace. Many of the objects illustrated in this book have previously been known only to a few specialists, and will be totally new to a general audience.

Customer Reviews:

Art in China (Oxford History of Art Series).......2005-09-24

Beautifully illustrated, delightful and extremely informative. This book is a marvelous supplement to the typical art history text books.

Good introduction to the arts of China.......2005-03-08

I like the author's approach to writing an introduction to the arts of China. Instead of trying to touch at least all of the major artists/works from all of the major periods (which in the case of China would mean touching very many things in a very cursory way), the author focuses on the context for which works were produced. Some of them were meant to be "art" from the start, some were not. This offers ample opportunities to examine how some works influenced other later in history. Overall, I think the ideas presented are some of the most gripping I have found in Chinese art history books. The book includes recent discoveries and scholarship and uses Pinyin romanization (two great features - not all recently-published books do).

Currently the best short introduction to art in China.......2002-01-20

While not the easiest to read, Clunas's book is currently the best short modest-sized introduction to art in China. The title "Art in China" (not "Chinese Art") is intentional, for Clunas is one of the rare Occidental authors on this subject who transcend the limitations of their background and succeed in communicating some of the subtlety and complexity of the subject, so remote from Western tastes, but no less beautiful and profound.

For example, he points out that while Western art has concentrated on painting, calligraphy is the most esteemed art form in China. Furthermore, from its earliest beginnings, Chinese aesthetics has placed little emphasis on illusionism and perspective, even regarding these as juvenile and distracting from artistic self-expression. (In this respect, the Chinese anticipated "modern art theory" by centuries.) The very term "Chinese Art", he maintains, is a Western invention, since the art work in China was, until recently, never divorced from its political, religious or decorative functions. (That is to say, it was not "museum art" isolated from its context and consciously regarded as art.) Because of these characteristics, art in China has been little appreciated in the West.

Clunas's probing book should be read slowly-- and re-read. The illuminating text gives a relatively sophisticated and sympathetic account of art in China, unlike many books, which are simply naive, provincial and as full of trivial dates and abstractions as they are lacking in insight. The representative works, drawn from all periods of Chinese history--including modern times--are superb and well chosen, and the pictures are excellent, considering the book's modest size. I especially enjoy the full-page color reproduction of Guo Xi's masterpiece "Early Spring" which equals, if not surpasses, the finest landscape paintings of the Dutch golden age (of course, not in illusionist technique, but in sheer expressive and evocative power as it unveils a mysterious fantastic landscape reflecting an interior, as much as an exterior, reality).

My only complaint is that there is only one book on "Art in China" in the Oxford History of Art series, while there are at least 30 on Western art in the same series. One book covers Western art for a 25-year span (1920-45), but 5,000 years of high art in China--in painting, jade, ceramics, lacquer, porcelain, calligraphy and sculpture--gets only a single volume! Talk about provincialism! Certainly, this is no fault of Dr. Clunas, whose work seems all the more commendable in the midst of the naive insularity and ethnocentrism with which it has unfortunately been grouped.

BRILLIANT!!.......2002-01-15

In researching information regarding Sung Dynasty scrolls and artists, I found this book to be a most generous indeed. The author provides clear, precise information without the clutter of person guesses. He provides a wonderful assortment of pictures and resources. Clear, clean photographs of artifacts providing the reader with primary documentation .This is a MUST for anyone studying the Arts and Artists of early China. Thank you Craig Clunas!

challenging book.......2000-05-15

This is a challenging work.

He realizes 5 standpoints. He writes "What is historically called art in China, by whom and when?". Really, I feel it rather reflect unconscious attitude of 20th century collectors and scholars.

Art in the Tomb /Art at Court/Art in the Temple/Art in the life of the Elite /Art in the Market-Place

Following recent searching environment of artifacts; lifetime of painters, art-market, patrons, etc., as "Painter's Practice" by J.cahill, Mr. Clunas searched relations of arts-makers and the society. This approach is interesting and very suggestive. It may be the first try among such cheap and popular books about "Arts in China". For such character, I feel it should not be an elementary textbook.

Calligraphy was more focused than M. Sullivan's book"The Arts of China" in the chapter "Art in the life of the Elite". Short columns explain words and technical terms vividly. It is worth to buy it only for them. Bibliographical essays(231-237 p.) are very useful. Plates and figures are all fine. There is few inadequate item. Fig 83 and 87 shows as we appreciate in museums, i.e. shows its handscroll format. I think the author make effort to show surrounding textile of paintings and the format in some figs.

As an avocat d'diable, I notice some. The gong of Fig. 49 is not 8th century. Dragons and a beast should be genuine 8th century items. The gong is regarded 12-13th century Japanese artifact. The item of Fig. 82 may not be a representative work by Tang-Yin.

Both C. Clunas and Michael Sullivan edited catalogues of Sir Alain Barlow Collection(now in Sussex College). (ref. The Barlow Collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades: an Introduction, The University of Sussex, 1997/Nov.) Sullivan did in 1963 and 1974. Clunas did in 1997. They might have share common intellectual environment according Oriental Ceramic Society, England.

Average customer rating:

Good survey of glass printing techniques

Glass And Print (Glass Handbooks)
Kevin Petrie
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Printmaking | Graphic Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Glass & Glassware | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Printmaking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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The Art of Fusing, Pictures in Glass

Fuse It: A Continuing Journey in Kiln Worked Glass

Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting

500 Glass Objects: A Celebration of Functional & Sculptural Glass (500)

A Beginner's Guide to Kiln-Formed Glass: * Fused * Slumped * Cast

ASIN: 0812219465

Book Description

The great variety of aesthetic expression possible in printmaking techniques and the unique qualities of glass are explored in Glass and Print, through numerous illustrations and examinations of pieces utilizing both materials. The combination of glass and printmaking offers tremendous potential for artists accustomed to working with either medium.

Many techniques may be employed in working with the two. In kiln-forming glass, printed imagery can be sandwiched within a glass form. Relief surfaces can be created by casting glass into molds taken from relief printing blocks. In glass blowing, prints can be enclosed within the glass and blown into three-dimensional shapes. Images can be directly screenprinted onto sheets of flat or architectural glass.

Kevin Petrie examines the properties of the materials and methods used in working with glass and print. He offers a range of case studies by international artists and students that showcases the exciting potential and diversity of approaches possible, with practical applications for incorporating these techniques into any artist's repertoire.

Customer Reviews:

Good survey of glass printing techniques.......2007-04-28

Nicely written with good depth, this survey of printing techniques with and on glass is an interesting read. I kinda wish the author had been able to go into the actual techniques a bit more, but this book is still a wonderful resource.

Average customer rating:

Informative overview on the marriage of print and clay.

Ceramics and Print (Ceramics Handbooks)
Paul Scott
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0812218000

Book Description

Printmaking techniques have long been used in the pottery industry, but until comparatively recently ceramicists have tended to view the use of these techniques with disdain. Attitudes are changing rapidly now, however, as makers continue to explore creative possibilities while working with ceramic materials.

In this book, Paul Scott briefly discusses the history of ceramics and print, and then concentrates on the techniques used by contemporary ceramicists. These include: screen printing, both transfer decoration and working directly onto clay; photographic processes; sponge printing; stamped ware; linocuts; prints from plaster slabs; and other printmaking techniques.

For this new edition Ceramics and Print has been significantly expanded and treats recent developments in the use of the photocopier, laser printer, and computer-generated prints. Many of the illustrations are new, and color images now replace almost all of the earlier black-and-white photographs. The book, groundbreaking in its original publication, has in the Second Edition been brought up to date and should add considerably to the knowledge of this exciting and popular medium.

Customer Reviews:

Informative overview on the marriage of print and clay........1998-07-28

Paul Scott Takes you through the historical and contemporary uses of print and clay. Very little has been written about the unusual marriage between print and clay. The book is written in an easy to follow dialogue that explains the processes involved and includes many color photographs. I recommend the book to anyone interested ceramics and imagery.

Black Light Book for Antiques & Collectibles (How to examine glass, china, pottery, metal, prints, textiles, ivory, bronze and more.)

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Black Light Book for Antiques & Collectibles (How to examine glass, china, pottery, metal, prints, textiles, ivory, bronze and more.)

Manufacturer: Antique & Collectors Reproductions news
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000G1MAWY

Product Description

Includes list of black light suppliers, fiield test reports and black light buyers guide.

The Glass Lake: Maeve Binchy (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)

Average customer rating:

Favorite
3.5 stars for my second Binchy experience...
One of my Favourites
Questioning the ending.
A wonderfull story!

The Glass Lake: Maeve Binchy (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)
Maeve Binchy
Manufacturer: Thorndike Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Mothers & Children | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books

Romance | Large Print | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 0783811187
Release Date: 2095-04-19

Amazon.com

In the tradition of her beloved novel Circle of Friends, Irish novelist Maeve Binchey offers a wonderful old-fashioned melodrama with a contemporary cast of compelling characters. A sly, seductive, and compulsively readable book, perfect for rainy afternoons and late nights in bed.

Book Description

Lough Glass is at the heart and soul of the namesake town clinging to its shore. They say that if you go out on St. Agnes' Eve and look into the lake at sunset you can see your future. But beneath its serene surface, the lake harbors secrets as dark and unfathomable as the beautiful woman who walks beside its waters.

The Glass Lake

Maeve Binchy

Lough Glass is home to Kit McMahon, in a way it will never be to her ravishing mother, Helen, the Dubliner with film-star looks who found an unlikely mate in genial chemist Martin McMahon. Kit adores her mother, but can't escape the memory of her, seen through a window, alone at the kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Kit's best friend and enemy, Clio Kelly, with her casual cruelties and unexpected kindnesses, is first to share the gossip about the exotic and elusive Helen -- until the terrible night Martin's boat is found drifting upside-down in the lake. The night Helen is lost. The night Kit discovers a letter from her mother on Martin's pillow and burns it, unopened, in the grate. The night everything changes forever.

As Kit and Clio are swept into passionate young adulthood, Kit is haunted by an unspoken guilt -- for which only Sister Madeleine, the hermit who lives in the woods, can offer absolution -- and by a dream of the life that might have been. In The Glass Lake, Maeve Binchy explores the unspoken language between mothers and daughters in an extraordinary story of a mother's secret, a daughter's courage, and the hidden bond between them that neither deceit nor death can destroy. For beneath the placid waters of Maeve Binchy's bucolic world, chaos rules. But heaven, hell -- and hope -- take root in the human heart.

Customer Reviews:

Favorite.......2007-07-27

This is still my favorite Binchy novel and I have read them all. The scope of these characters' stories, the decision moments that impact the rest of their lives and the lives of those around them is finely drawn. Weaving all the lives together with good pacing took real skill.

3.5 stars for my second Binchy experience..........2007-06-27

Although this novel really struck a chord with me by dealing with the "woman leaves comfortable home for love her life" bit, I found it all too similar to Tara Road, the only other Binchy novel I have read as of yet. "Handsome man runs around on the woman who is madly in love with him and she either doesn't notice or pretends not to". However, I found it refreshing that this one at least had other characters and storylines running to distract from how similar the Lena/Louis relationship was to the Ria/Danny relationship in Tara Road. I still feel that Ms. Binchy is a good storyteller in that she makes you care about what happens to basically all of the characters (except, of course, for the wandering husband figure). She's kept me going, I will certainly read another of her books when I get the chance.

One of my Favourites.......2007-06-19

This book is one of my favourite easy reads. I rarely re-read a book - but I have re-read this one many times. The characters are realistic and modern for their times. It is a good story line - maybe a little slow - but you can skip the bits that don't fit. Some reviewers have complained of the ending - I agree it was abrubt - but I liked it - it wasn't too sweet. I would recommend you try this book.

Questioning the ending. .......2006-09-12

I loved Glass Lake. That is until I got to the end. Did Kit and Stevie get married. That was not clearly explained. I can guess, they did or guess that they did not. I wish I knew. A strange ending to a very good book.

A wonderfull story!.......2006-07-24

I have read "the Glass lake" by Maeve Binchy 3 times, and every time i have been angry that the book isen't longer. (around 600pages though:-)

The book is about Kit, who lives in ireland in the fihties. When she is twelwe her mom disaperes and everyone thinks she has comitted suicide. but has she?.... The book tell us how Kit growes up, fall in love, goes to school and write with her moms mystrius friend from London.
The book also tells us the story of a women who left her family for her old lover, and now has to live with the fact that everyone thinks she is dead....

I love this book because, it is exiting, funny, romantic, clever and full of details and suprises. Kit is a wonderful strong heorine.
You must read it! i also think it's the best of Maeve Binchy's books, and i have read almost all of them..:)

Staffordshire Pottery, 1858-1962: Majolica, Transfer Prints, Flow Blue, Fine Bone China From Cauldon (Schiffer Book for Collectors with Price Guide)

Average customer rating:

Specific to Cauldon, Inc.
Cauldon for Collectors

Staffordshire Pottery, 1858-1962: Majolica, Transfer Prints, Flow Blue, Fine Bone China From Cauldon (Schiffer Book for Collectors with Price Guide)
Robert E. Cluett
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Glass & Glassware | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Porcelain & China | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Pottery & Ceramics | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 076432022X

Customer Reviews:

Specific to Cauldon, Inc........2006-11-27

This is the finest book available on Cauldon, bar none. The pricing guides are helpful, the background information facinating, and although the photographs are sometimes a little out of focus, each page features multiple images of representative wares.

Cauldon for Collectors.......2006-04-22

Quite simply the best reference work currently available on the output of Cauldon Ltd. and its predecessors and sucessors for over a century including helpful pricing guides. Because Cauldon's tableware patterns alone ran to several tens of thousands, this book could not be expected to address individually all of the company's products, but it does cover a broad enough sampling to make it the definitive work on its subject matter. Kudos to Robert Cluett for giving us this book.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful saga of two Marathon runners and survivors

Wilderness (G.K. Hall Large Print Book)
Roger Zelazny , and Gerald Hausman
Manufacturer: G K Hall & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books
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Lord Demon

ASIN: 0816174954

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful saga of two Marathon runners and survivors.......1997-09-22

The poetic prose is very beautifully written by two experts in American western frontiers. No complicated plots but lonely struggles of two guys' survival experiences

Average customer rating:

Miro on Mallorca (Pegasus Library)
Barbara Catoir
Manufacturer: Prestel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Surrealism | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3791314831

Average customer rating:

Awesome Read!!

Looking Through Leopard Print Glasses
Tracy Walraven
Manufacturer: Authorhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

War | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1410769755

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Read!!.......2003-09-12

I could not put this book down! It's the best!!!! I read a lot of books (mostly fiction) and have never read a book like this one. I reccomend it to any fun, smart girl!!!! It has a wild twist in the end that you have to find out about.
I want MORE!!!

Average customer rating:

Super Reader
In A Glass Darkly
Eerie but doesn't stand the test of time
Great stories!
3 truly chilling tales; 1 eerie rite-of-passage; 1 real bore

In A Glass Darkly (Large Print)
J.S. Le Fanu
Manufacturer: ReadHowYouWant.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books

Font Size 16 Bold | Alternative Formats | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 1425026680
Release Date: 2006-11-01

Book Description

In this collection of stories Le Fanu depicts the desperation and frustrations of life and its effects on people. There is in-depth characterization and deep analysis of characters whose suicidal tendencies lead to their unnatural deaths. The depiction of characters and situations that are haunted create a spookiness that keeps one spell-bounded.

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-27

Perhaps the origin of the 'psychic detective' or ghostbuster genre,
with the use of Doctor Heselius as a framing character for these
stories as being part of his history of cases. Carmilla is a fine, fine
tale, with a disturbing female monster. Le Fanu is well worth
investigating for horror fans that have not done so in the past.

In A Glass Darkly.......2006-10-11

WARNING! My Oxford World's Classics paperback copy had pages of Thoreau's "Walden" inserted after p.158 of the story "The Room in the Dragon Volant." Missing are approx. 50 pages of the LeFanu story, so it's not like it's a bonus. I'm letting Amazon know about it, but check your copy on receipt!! Very disappointing to not know what happens, kind of like watching a thriller on TV and then the power goes out, but the broadcast stays on so you miss the middle.

I do rate LeFanu's stories 4-5 stars though. Really well-written page turners!

Eerie but doesn't stand the test of time.......2006-08-08

During a recent (first) visit to Dublin, my wonderful guide showed me Sheridan LeFanu's lovely Georgian home and turned me on to the creepy classics which the late author wrote and helped to create an entire genre of cliched horror staples we still enjoy today.

This book, however, is a collection of tedious stories...overwritten to satisfy perhaps Le Fanu's contemporary readers, but not those of today. It is unfortunate that we fans of haunted houses and chill-inducing ghost stories have become jaded with the over saturation in the medium. If you can get past comparing it with other examples and want to take your time with this slow (sadly unsuspenseful) read, you may find a few gossebumps along the way.

Great stories!.......2001-04-24

I disagree with the previous reviewer. I thought "The Room at the Dragon Volant" was one of the better stories. It was a little longer than it could have been, and yes, you figured out very quickly what was going on, but that didn't negate my enjoyment of it. (In fact, in most of the stories you have an idea of what's going to happen before it happens--like the end of "The Watcher.") You can enjoy it if you put yourself in the place of the (admittedly dorky) protagonist and read it as straight adventure.

"Carmilla" is a classic. I'd be amazed if it didn't provoke an outcry for its frank lesbian content. It must have been shocking at that time.

3 truly chilling tales; 1 eerie rite-of-passage; 1 real bore.......2000-08-30

While the likes of Dickens and George Eliot were pretending to be God, diagnosing the ills of society and showing us how to live better, despised sensationalists like Sheridan le Fanu were busy creating modern literature. 'In a Glass Darkly' is a perfect example of this, with its unreliable narrators, fractured narratives, mysteries, ambiguities, terrors, obsession with failures of the mind and body, and disruptive sexualities. There is one story here which is told at five - five! - removes from the original experience, a Chinese whisper a long way from the dogmatic certainties of Dickens. A collection of five stories, linked as the posthoumous papers of a seriously flawed proto-psychologist, the first three are the best, brief, compressed masterpieces of atmosphere and genuine terror: le Fanu may not be a great writer, but some of his visual coups are incomparable, the nightmare visions of 'Lord Justice Harbottle' being particularly vivid. The final tale, 'Carmilla', the collections' most famous, is an extraordinary coming of age tale, in which burgeoning sexuality and fear of the vampiric unknown are inextricably linked in a work of an overt lesbianism unthinkable for its time. The longest story, 'The Room at the Dragon Volant', is barely readable, interminably dragged out, full of deadening padding - there are some excellent scenes, such as the masked ball, but the hero is an unbearably self-regarding idiot, and the 'twist' is obvious to everyone but him after the first couple of pages, that the rest is just a tedious, suspenseless waiting for his dim enlightenment (which, admittedly, is brilliantly done). The introduction by Robert Tracy provdes some good insights into le Fanu's work as expression of national and colonial fears, but, perversely, he seems less interested in the tales' powerful sexual and gender drives.

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