Themes in the Visual Arts of Dynastic China (before 1800)

The module explores the multi-polarity of the field of Chinese art history today by investigating the historical methodologies, canons, practices and other forces by which it has been shaped.

The module is primarily focussed on the various arts of dynastic China. These include the brush arts of painting and calligraphy, encompassing a reading of brush traces as special acts and sites of human endeavour, as well as other pictorial art forms, notably the reproductive media of ink-rubbing and woodblock printing.

Students are introduced to these media through relevant artistic themes and issues of the dynastic period, including the formation of imperial and social agendas, the advance of technologies relevant to visual culture, and the roles of strife and invasion, religious life, travel and communication.

There is emphasis throughout on developing skills of visual analysis, and on understanding current events and initiatives in the field of Chinese art history, including the ways art is collected, displayed, accessed and communicated through exhibitions, conferences and websites.

Workload

• Seminars: 2 hours per week 

Method of assessment

• One 500-word annotated bibliography (worth 10% of marks)
• One 2,000-word essay (worth 60%)
• One 10-minute presentation (worth 30%)

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.