The Painter's Practice [Paperback]

James Cahill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0231081812 | ISBN-13: 978-0231081818

In this beautifully illustrated book, Cahill reveals the intricacies of the traditional Chinese painter's life and work, covering such aspects as payment and patronage, in an approach that is largely absent from Asian art history.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-Through primary sources, Cahill shows the social, political, and economic influences on the lives of Chinese artists from the 16th century onward. He explores all facets of the subject with lively examples placed in the context of the importance of the hierarchical society and the part that each member played within that structure. The readable text, which is divided into helpful subsections, is an expansion of a series of lectures. Cahill does assume that readers have some prior background knowledge, but this book will serve as an excellent supplement for advanced students of art or Asian studies.
Sandi Hammonds, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Cahill, a prolific and well-respected scholar of Chinese painting, has adapted a series of lectures he gave at Columbia to create this readable and interesting account of the conditions of artistic production in historical China. Cahill's argument is that the view of Chinese painters as scholar-literati, which has been accepted as accurate by Chinese and Western scholars, needs to be re-examined in light of the historical record. Among the issues raised by Cahill are the sale of paintings by literati, studio production, and ghostpainting of works signed by masters. Although the essays refer to previous scholarship, they are written clearly enough to be followed by readers with minimal prior knowledge of Chinese painting. This is an important book that will be a useful acquisition for virtually any library with Chinese art holdings.
Kathryn W. Finkelstein, M.Ln., Cincinnati, Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 187 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231081812
• ISBN-13: 978-0231081818
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,459,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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