🗾East Asian Art and Architecture Unit 3 – Early Chinese Art: Qin and Han Dynasties

Historical Context and Timeline

• Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) unified China under the rule of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor
• Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) followed the Qin, with a brief interlude of the Chu-Han Contention (206-202 BCE)
  • Western Han period (206 BCE-9 CE) marked by expansion and cultural development
  • Xin Dynasty interregnum (9-23 CE) under Wang Mang
  • Eastern Han period (25-220 CE) saw the restoration of Han rule and further artistic advancements
• Qin and Han dynasties laid the foundation for Chinese imperial rule and cultural identity
• Significant events include the construction of the Great Wall, standardization of weights, measures, and currency, and the establishment of Confucianism as the state ideology
• The Silk Road trade routes, connecting China with Central Asia and beyond, flourished during the Han Dynasty

Key Characteristics of Qin and Han Art

• Qin art focused on the power and authority of the state, exemplified by the Terracotta Army
• Han art reflected Confucian values, such as filial piety, and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven
• Realism and attention to detail in sculpture and painting, particularly in portraiture
• Symmetry and balance in composition, reflecting the Chinese concept of harmony
• Incorporation of mythological creatures and symbolism, such as dragons and phoenixes
• Development of new artistic mediums, including lacquerware, silk painting, and bronze mirrors
• Influence of Buddhism on art, particularly during the Eastern Han period, with the introduction of Buddhist iconography

Major Archaeological Discoveries

• Terracotta Army in Xi'an, discovered in 1974, consisting of over 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots
  • Provides insight into Qin military practices, craftsmanship, and belief in the afterlife
• Mawangdui tombs in Changsha, discovered in 1972, containing well-preserved silk paintings and lacquerware
  • Offers a glimpse into Han Dynasty daily life, clothing, and funerary customs
• Mancheng Han tombs in Hebei, discovered in 1968, housing the remains of Prince Liu Sheng and his consort
  • Yielded exquisite jade burial suits, gold and silver artifacts, and musical instruments
• Shuangling Tombs in Shanxi, discovered in the 1990s, featuring elaborate stone carvings and murals
  • Depicts scenes from daily life, mythology, and Confucian virtues

Artistic Innovations and Techniques

• Lost-wax casting for bronze vessels and sculptures, allowing for intricate designs and fine details
• Inlaid gold and silver decoration on bronze objects, showcasing advanced metalworking skills
• Lacquerware techniques, such as carved, painted, and inlaid lacquer, used for containers, furniture, and musical instruments
• Silk weaving and embroidery, with complex patterns and vibrant colors
• Stone carving and relief sculpture, often used in tomb decoration and public monuments
• Development of ink and brush painting on silk and paper, laying the foundation for later Chinese painting traditions

Symbolism and Iconography

• Dragons as symbols of imperial power, strength, and good fortune
  • Often depicted on bronze vessels, jade carvings, and silk paintings
• Phoenixes as representations of the empress, grace, and virtue
• Taotie motifs on bronze vessels, believed to ward off evil spirits
• Auspicious animals, such as cranes and deer, symbolizing longevity and prosperity
• Mythological creatures, like the Qilin and Bixie, serving as guardians and emblems of good omens
• Confucian symbols, such as the Eight Trigrams and the Yin-Yang, representing balance and harmony

Cultural and Social Influences

• Confucianism emphasized hierarchy, filial piety, and moral cultivation, reflected in art through depictions of virtuous figures and scenes of daily life
• Daoism influenced the representation of nature, spontaneity, and simplicity in art
• The Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange, introducing new artistic styles, techniques, and motifs from Central Asia and beyond
• Funerary art, such as tomb figurines and wall paintings, provided insights into social hierarchies, occupations, and belief systems
• Imperial patronage and the establishment of workshops fostered the development of high-quality craftsmanship and artistic innovation

Legacy and Impact on Later Chinese Art

• Qin and Han artistic traditions set the foundation for subsequent Chinese art dynasties
• The realistic sculpture style influenced later Buddhist and Daoist figurative art
• Silk painting techniques and motifs continued to evolve, leading to the development of landscape and bird-and-flower painting genres
• Bronze casting and decoration methods were refined and adapted in later dynasties
• The integration of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist themes in art persisted throughout Chinese history
• The Qin and Han aesthetic of symmetry, balance, and harmony remained a core principle in Chinese art and design

Notable Artworks and Artifacts

• Terracotta Warriors from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an
  • Individually crafted soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with unique facial features and expressions
• "Flying Horse of Gansu" bronze sculpture from the Eastern Han Dynasty
  • Depicts a galloping horse with one hoof resting on a flying swallow, showcasing the dynamism and realism of Han sculpture
• Mawangdui silk painting "T-shaped Silk Funerary Banner" from the Western Han Dynasty
  • Features a depiction of the afterlife, with the deceased ascending to the heavens, accompanied by mythological creatures and auspicious symbols
• "Jade Burial Suit of Prince Liu Sheng" from the Western Han Dynasty
  • Consists of over 2,000 jade plaques, sewn together with gold thread, reflecting the luxury and sophistication of Han royal burials
• "Bronze Chariot and Horses" from the Mausoleum of Emperor Wu of Han in Xi'an
  • A miniature replica of a royal chariot, complete with horses and riders, demonstrating the advanced bronze casting techniques of the Han Dynasty