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Tang China
A Symposium of Images
Art in Tang China
• Tang era= a golden age of China
• Art and foreign relations prospered
• Best known for the development of many forms- painting,
sculpture, pottery, calligraphy, music, dance, and literature
Three color ware, or sancai, was one of the greatest
contributions of the Tang dynasty. No dynasty before or
after them have done this. Yellow, green and white were
usually the colors used, although some sancai used two
or four colors.
This Period experienced long periods of
peace and prosperity. Articles of
religious use were abundant during the
Tang Dynasty as a result of the
Buddhist influence of the Period.
The drinking of both tea and
wine were commonly enjoyed
past times during the Tang
Dynasty. For centuries,
business dealings had often
been concluded by drinking a
cup of tea. As the social
amenities of the time grew in
popularity, the evening hours
found the drinking of tea
supported by the drinking and
toasting of wines as well. We
see the introduction of
gorgeous tea pots and wine
jars developing during this
period as a result of the social
customs.
There were schools for performing arts everywhere. These schools were dedicated to
full time practice of singing, dancing, and music. Musicians and actors were of
celebrity status and great ones were invited to the imperial palace to entertain the
emperor. There was even a musical school on the palace grounds itself.
Calligraphy is an ancient art form. It is an abstract art form and to
appreciate the beauty of it, one should notice the balance of characters,
the carefree strokes, the fluidity of the writing, and the lightening quick
speed the artists do them in. This is the only surviving work of the great
Tang poet Li Bai. Calligraphy can be done as poetry by itself, but it
usually is a poem accompanying a traditional painting.
A gracefully executed work has no peer.
Bold yet fluid -
Balance
Formal
Playful
Expressive
A carefree
style has no
fixed
directions
An exuberant work full
of feeling and vigor.
Geometric
Lighting quick
A gracefully
executed
work
Tomb Treasures
During the reign of the Chinese dynasties, the
emperors believed that death to be a
prolonged version of life. Elaborate tombs
were built to mirror their lavish lifestyles for
their after-death palaces. The Qianlong tomb
of the Tang dynasty is a joint tomb of Emperor
Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian. There are
hills upon hills of tri-color pottery and statues.
Women of the Tang dynasty were fortunate enough to live during a
time of open-mindedness and liberal ideas. A couple who wished to
divorce may do so without punishment if it was based on mutual
agreement. Women could remarry and intermarriage could exist
between different ethnic groups. Tang women had the chance to learn
military skills, history, and politics. They enjoyed having independent
social statuses and could drink wine and sing at taverns in public if
they wished.
Empress Wu Zetian was the only
female monarch of China, and
remains the most remarkable,
influential and mysterious woman in
Chinese history. She placed great
importance on the development of
agriculture and listened to ideas of
her critics. She had the support of her
loyal administration and late Tang
China prospered under her reign.
When she was bad, she could be
ruthless, not even hesitating to
murder her own son to secure her
position! She resorted to Buddhism
to cleanse herself of her sins.
Empress Wu
The End