The Arts of China, Fourth edition. Expanded and Revised. (An Ahmanson Murphy Fine Arts Book) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "To admirers of Chinese art, the past half century has been a time of bewilderment and frustration as they watched the apparently repudiating, and even..." (more)
Key Phrases: dated equivalent, bamboo painting, monochrome ink, Six Dynasties, Northern Wei, Five Dynasties (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Sullivan explores this background so deftly and relevantly that the arts, as an expression of the times in which they took shape, come vibrantly alive. -- Asiaweek --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The revised and updated fourth edition of this important survey of Chinese art draws on architectural discoveries of the last two decades to enhance the discussion of prehistoric and ancient Chinese art.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 4 edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520218760
• ISBN-13: 978-0520218765
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #577,421 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lucid Style attracts me., April 16, 2000

By	"reiji" (TOKYO Japan) - See all my reviews

It is difficult to write "Short History of Chinese Arts". Suppose that an honest scholar start preparing his lecture note of " Chinese Arts", he shall struggle with selecting subjects and plates. Moreover, for example, he feels that he be an expert on ancient bronzes, and a beginner of export wares in 17th century. Leaving the purgatory, he would want help to a standard textbook.

Among English books, this noted book may have used in many college courses. 1st edition(1967) and The revised edition(1973) were welcomed by many students and scholars. Even a japanese translation had been popular for many years. In this 4th edition, 84 old respectable scholar still attracts me with lucid style.

For beginners, this should be a good introduction. Appreciating artifacts in Museum, finding something in antique shop, or reading books/papers/articles about a particular subject, it needs some elementary background knowledge for chinese arts and history. This offers such COMMON SENSE.

For experienced scholars, this is an interesting reading. This might look a mean textbook for them. Before reading, I minded I become tired for many facts already learned, but I enjoy this book even in commute train, although this edition format is too large. Because not only this is Readable for a japanese, but also gives many (sometimes implicit) skeptical suggestions. At 258p, about Wan Hui (1632-1677, painter), "The Palace Museum collection also contains a number of clever pastiches of tenth-century and Northen Song landscapes that are almost certainly his work"; keen insight!.

I should regretfully notice that some illustrations/items might be inadequate, blurred, or damaged. I hope that they will be changed at next chance.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and Knowledgable, March 14, 2006

By	A. King "magister liber" (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Arts of China (An Ahmanson Murphy Fine Arts Book) (Paperback)

The book, The Arts of China, was book I needed to purchase for a college level Asian Art History class focused on China. Each chapter was divided into dynasties and within each chapter sections were written on: background history, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, and other various topics. There are lovely color pictures with high resolution, which are an essential to any student or scholar studying this art. The writing is clear and even enjoyable. I'd highly reccommend this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a long, distinguished history, October 14, 2006

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The colour illustrations in this book are lovely to behold. Many show restored artifacts from China's long history. Vases, stoneware, flasks, paintings, handscrolls and much more. From the paintings, you can see where the traditional misty style of Chinese landscape paintings arose. There are even genres, like bamboo painting. Just like the Europeans developed portraits of horses and landed gentry.

Naturally, there is also extensive coverage of porcelain plates and containers. Beautifully decorated. The items that the Europeans would call "china"; so close was the identification of the objects with China itself.

But more than just objects, the narrative also gives insight into the various Chinese dynasties from which these arose. And also the provinces, like Jiangsu and Anhui, that were artistic centers.