Honor in Chinese and Korean Art
Question : Baroque, Rococo, Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian art, oh my! In all of these very different societies, the ruling class used art to express their authority. Discuss how art was used to reinforce the power of the elite in at least two time periods or regions.
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Answer : In Chinese art and Korean art, as well as other forms of art honoring Asian culture, history, and honor, art is used not only as a means to reinforce the power of the elite, but also as a way to honor their dynasties in charge, as well as their ancestors that came before them. Honoring heritage and the power of their respective elite is seen greatly in past and present Chinese & Korean art and their respective artists.
In Chinese art, there exists a certain focus on power and privledge, and its relation to loyalty and individualism. This is especially seen with the Qing Dynasty, and Chinese art that has been made to depict such, and tell the story of said dynasty. The Qing Dynasty existed from 1644 to 1911, and in its power, the dynasty is separated into two sub-dynasties : The Anhui & the Nanjing.
The Anhui focused on implementing more individualism for the Chinese and Chinese art. The Anhui Masters (people in charge of the Anhui sub-dynasty) spearheaded their own school, the Anhui School, where they would educate the Chinese community on the rules of the Dynasty, and make some of their own art. The art, to which was mainly taught at the Anhui school was dry-brush painting, via paper and ink. Enforced (and often) early retirement was seen regularly with the Anhui, encouraging them to pursue personal and artistic self-cultivation, rather than to work in labor for most of their lives. The Nanjing focused on the importance of loyalty to and for the Chinese people and their art. The Nanjing were inspired by Jesuit missionary activity and European art (particularly engravings and paintings). Western and Buddhist ideologies of shading and perspective in art, were also driving influences for the Nanjing and their own art. Like the Anhui, the Nanjing also highly favored painting as their main medium of art . Paintings with both the Anhui and the Nanjing subdynasties had a primary focus on making art about environemntal importance, honoring their native cities and rural scenaries. Both painting styles experimented with light, atmosphere, color, and texture. It was frowned upon to belong to both subdynasties of the Qing Dynasty, and if you were Chinese, you had to pertain to either the Anhui or the Nanjing, not both. Though, like in all things related to art and power, I'm sure at least one person rebelled, defied the societal laws of conformity, and tries their way at pertaining to both subdynasties. If this is true, who knows what came of their fate?
In Korean art, challenging how we normally view themes of simplicity, officiality, conduct, and restraint in our world, was seen often. This was especially seen with the Joseon dynasty, which is separated into two branches, the civil branch and the military branch, both of which practice officiality. The Joseon dynasty was condiered to be a yangban society, meaning that having order in your day-to-day life would bring you to a path of success. The art of the Joseon dynasty was known to be popular, for its depictions of high officials and ancestors from long ago. Folk paintings, full of color and playful forms and shapes, with the inention of being produced for the masses, were a commonality for the Joseon dynasty. Confucianist proverbs and Western techniques served as huge inspirations, not just for the Joseon dynasty as a community, but for their respective artists.
Want to learn more ? Check out these resources I used for my research below :
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/qing_1/hd_qing_1.htm
