Asian art history has contributed significantly to the creation of arts in the East Asia. Asian art embraces an immense variety of cultural and religious inspirations. A wide variety of Asian cultures is highlighted in art history. The prominent developments can be observed in Indian art, Chinese art, and Japanese art. Each one of these arts had a prominent effect on Western art. Thus, the paper will discuss abovementioned three art eras in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the role of art in Asian art history and the way art altered its characteristics during different periods.
Indian Art
Indian art is an art of social, political and religious changes in culture. It is a fusion of native and external impacts and holds a distinctive appeal and eccentricity. Indian art, which transformed and advanced with the development of culture or empires, was full of outstanding improvements in the entire spheres of artistic demonstration.
Indian Paintings
The history of Indian paintings reverts to the ancient times and symbolizes the fascinating history of Indian people. Indian paintings offer a striking evidence of a fusion of diverse cultures and a reflection of society, politics and religion. The prehistoric Indian paintings are observed in caves, principally the caves at Bhimbetaka. The painters apply natural tinctures and animals fats in cave or wall paintings. Moreover, these depict animals, hunting, everyday life and religious imagery of earlier times. These cave paintings are more or less 12,000 years old. The early wall paintings are found in Buddhist cave shrines and monasteries all over India. Wall paintings indicate a love of naturalism and got distinction in the caves of Ajanta, Bagh, and
Badami, all through the era between 200 BC to 700 CE (Havell, pp. 18-25).
The wall paintings at Ajanta symbolize the development of monastery and represent an outlook into the life of the Buddha. The medieval Indian paintings include manuscript painting. This miniature art was scrupulous brushwork done on palm leaves with a concept of symbolism. The themes of miniature paintings were taken from myths, stories or religious images. In 16th century, Mughal Emperor Humayun brought first miniature paintings from Persia. These miniatures repeatedly represent court scenes and individuals or folks. Mughal art was a fusion of Persian and Indian styles comprising rich colors, abstract designs with secular themes. Books and Indian Persian epics, in the reign of Emperor Akbar, magnified and personified with miniature art (Havell, pp. 11-12).
The Mughal rulers in 16th and 17th centuries valued these patterned paintings of manuscripts and albums and funded them as well. At the end of 17th century, Aurangzeb dispersed the court workshops and from this point onward, Mughal painting progressively revealed the transfer of power and patronage equally. Modern painting in India at present is not only inspired by ways of life, but with contemporary thoughts, philosophies and modes. Modern art may be abstract or figurative but an impact of traditional Indian and Persian painting with modern art can be noticed.
Indian Sculptures
The history of Indian sculpture also noticed various transformations over the ages. The pattern of Indian sculpture dates back to the Indus Valley civilization. During that era, statues and figures made of bronze and stones were very popular. This art was origination of third millennium during the period of Maurya Dynasty (Havell, pp. 37-42). The art of Sculptures dominated themes inspired by daily life and court life with figures of Hindu gods and goddesses and Buddha. The supreme illustration of this art was great Baths of Mohenjodaro of Indus Valley Civilization. The expertise of Indian sculptors can be identified by taking a quick view of the Temples of Khajuraho of 11th century AD, Temples of Ellora and Sun Temple of Konark. Muslim rulers introduced completely different patterns of sculpture ((Havell, pp. 49-53). It enhanced the splendor of religious places. The modern Indian Sculptures were entirely different from Muslim Sculptures and were profoundly rooted in Indian History and tradition.
Indian Architecture
Indian architecture includes hordes of expressions over time. Indian architecture evolved over the time with the impact of various invaders who fetched their diverse styles with them. Earliest Hindu architecture goes back with Panini and Patanjali. The dominant and magnificent among temples were Brihadeeswara Temple and Sun Temple (Havell, pp. 23-25).
It was during Ashoka Empire that Buddhism gained status and fame. The most prominent among the ancient architecture of India are the temples of Stupas (hemispherical mound for worship), Chaityas (place of worship) and Viharas (monastery). These represent three building types. Earliest Hindu architecture goes back with Panini and Patanjali. The initial architecture indicate traces of Vedic altars and late Vedic temples and the later emerged the Dravidian Southern style and Indo-Aryan Nagara style of architecture (Havell, pp. 56-59). The dominant and magnificent among them were Brihadeeswara Temple and Sun Temple.
The largely admired Islamic building style in India is the tomb or the mausoleum that evolved during Mughal era. Indian architecture was somewhat modified as per the traditions of new religion, on the arrival of Islam but the nature and temperament was solely Indian. The most renowned are the Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur) and the Taj Mahal (Agra). Later, the planning of Chandigarh was the first step towards the Modern Architecture of India and innovative directions were sought for a momentous architecture (Havell, pg. 105).
Chinese Art
Chinese art has assorted in the course of its prehistoric times splitting up into phases by Dynasties of China. Diverse forms of Chinese art have been influenced politically, religiously and culturally covering fine arts (aesthetics), folk arts (culture and civilization) and performance arts (painting, architecture, music and sculpture) (Chinese Cultural Studies, 2009).
Chinese Painting
Chinese painting began as far as the Neolithic Age with painted pottery particularly with human faces, deer, fish and frogs (Sullivan, pg. 5). The development in Chinese painting from ancient to modern revealed the change in time and social circumstances. These paintings can be found in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou in Southwest China Fujian in East and Mount Yinshan in Inner Mongolia Atlai in west and Heihe in North (Chinese Cultural Studies, 2009). Warring States Period noticed a push to the silk painting but reached at peak in Han Dynasty. It followed the introduction to Buddhism to Chinese in first century, from India. This era witnessed the prominence of religious murals, stone and brick carvings. Figurative art or painting flourished during the Tang Dynasty (ChinatownConnection, 2009).
The period of Yuan Dynasty signifies high standard landscape painting which had an impact on the painting of Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. The end of Qing Dynasty saw the origin of Shanghai Painting School. This school played its role in evolution of modern art out of classical one (ChinatownConnection, 2009). In 17th century, oil painting was introduced in China. This Western art got fame in early 20th century and it boomed in 1980s. Folk painting, which dates back to Qing and Han Dynasties, got popularity in Song Dynasty and reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty (Sullivan, pg. 60).
Chinese Sculpture
Chinese were expert artisans who formed excellent bronze sculptures. It was in Chou period that this art reached its zenith. The enormous ritual vessels used for worship by gentry are the best examples of this period. The tombs of Han Empire show a vivid selection of carvings in jade, clay figures of people, animals and household vessels. The most glorious tomb of this century was Shi Huangdi at Xian, China (ChinatownConnection, 2009). One of its chambers uncovered an army of 6,000 full size terracotta soldiers and the other possessed 1,400 ceramic figures of cavalrymen and chariots. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhist art prospered. The terracotta figures of that period were magnificent with replacement of iron. Religious sculptures were made in stone form. Chinese sculpture lost evaded with the drop of Buddhism in the Sung period (960-1279). However, appealing and remarkable works were persistently created, for instance, the Bodhisattvas (ChinatownConnection, 2009).
Chinese Architecture
Chinese architecture is rare in architectural history. Though the essential elements have transformed yet the ground philosophy at the back of style is identical. An eminent instance of Chinese architecture is the Forbidden City where halls are spacious more like Western structures. Chinese architecture has a long history and as old as the Chinese. Chinese architecture represents the authority and power of ruling dynasties over people stressing the significance of people instead of gods (ChinatownConnection, 2009).
Japanese Art
Japanese have a lengthy history stretched from 10th B.C, to present with an aptitude to mimic and take in alien cultures. Japanese art encompasses diverse styles and modes of art like sculpture (bronze and wood), painting (ink and silk) and ancient architecture and ceramics.
Japanese Painting
Painting is certainly the most admired and most studied of all Japanese art forms, with its sophistication, directness as well as complexity. Japanese painting style was significantly inspired by Chinese painting styles. Through Muromachi period (1338-1573), Chinese paintings started paving their way into the homes of affluent Japanese as an outcome of trade with China. However, Japanese did not imitate it entirely (Mason, pp. 12-17). They merged it with Japanese tastes. Chinese style Ink painting became popular in Muromachi period (1392-1573). In the subsequent Momoyama period (1573-1603), the traditional style of landscape painting was expanded, most frequently formed on huge screens. An innovative painting technique appeared during the Edo period (1603-1867) where complete bits were painted with gold leaf settings, creating an effect like religious montage of the Western Medieval period (Mason, pp. 56-63).
During this period, great masterpieces of carving were created with a requirement of miniature sculptures. Later, a fresh sort of art developed in the form of wood-block prints that attracted the feudal along with the lower class. Throughout 19th century, a small number of print designers achieved distinction, but no master emerged to equate their antecedents. The majority of 20th century painters were influenced by Western styles and in lacquer ware, ceramics and textiles they were universally acknowledged.
Japanese Sculpture
One of the widely esteemed art forms in Japan is sculpture. All through Japanese history, sculptures were of diverse modes like made of clay, bronze, stone, dry lacquer and wood. The Joman period (2200 BC) witnessed the initial form of sculpture made of clay. The ancient sculptures from this period often were figurines (Mason, pp. 63-67). One example of this is a strange sculpture. It is a little figure with heart-shaped head and a tiny, circular mouth. Japanese sculpture is stunning and Buddhism is the centre of its attention. The earliest dogu and the haniwa figures were formed of clay with a legend at the back of their structure and formation.Japanese architecture
Japanese architecture began in 57 BC. Majority structures were pit dwellings but Japan progressed as the time passed. Initial forms of Japanese architecture resembles with Korean architecture. Some ancient instances include Iksan and Miruksa. Horyuji, a temple in Nara, built in Korean style, dates back to the Asuka period. Architecture during the Nara period (710-794) was inclined by the Tang style, portrayed by firm and reasonable magnitude. Domestic architecture during the Muromachi period (1333-1573) observed the excellence of the shoin-zukuri style, which is the pioneer of the style of the contemporary Japanese house with tatami mats covering floors (Mason, pp. 20-23).The Momoyama period (1573-1603) brought about an improved knowledge of culture, through merchants who combined assets through abroad trade. An example is the fame and increase of the tea ceremony. This style still exists in architecture today.
Indian Art
Indian art is an art of social, political and religious changes in culture. It is a fusion of native and external impacts and holds a distinctive appeal and eccentricity. Indian art, which transformed and advanced with the development of culture or empires, was full of outstanding improvements in the entire spheres of artistic demonstration.
Indian Paintings
The history of Indian paintings reverts to the ancient times and symbolizes the fascinating history of Indian people. Indian paintings offer a striking evidence of a fusion of diverse cultures and a reflection of society, politics and religion. The prehistoric Indian paintings are observed in caves, principally the caves at Bhimbetaka. The painters apply natural tinctures and animals fats in cave or wall paintings. Moreover, these depict animals, hunting, everyday life and religious imagery of earlier times. These cave paintings are more or less 12,000 years old. The early wall paintings are found in Buddhist cave shrines and monasteries all over India. Wall paintings indicate a love of naturalism and got distinction in the caves of Ajanta, Bagh, and
Badami, all through the era between 200 BC to 700 CE (Havell, pp. 18-25).
The wall paintings at Ajanta symbolize the development of monastery and represent an outlook into the life of the Buddha. The medieval Indian paintings include manuscript painting. This miniature art was scrupulous brushwork done on palm leaves with a concept of symbolism. The themes of miniature paintings were taken from myths, stories or religious images. In 16th century, Mughal Emperor Humayun brought first miniature paintings from Persia. These miniatures repeatedly represent court scenes and individuals or folks. Mughal art was a fusion of Persian and Indian styles comprising rich colors, abstract designs with secular themes. Books and Indian Persian epics, in the reign of Emperor Akbar, magnified and personified with miniature art (Havell, pp. 11-12).
The Mughal rulers in 16th and 17th centuries valued these patterned paintings of manuscripts and albums and funded them as well. At the end of 17th century, Aurangzeb dispersed the court workshops and from this point onward, Mughal painting progressively revealed the transfer of power and patronage equally. Modern painting in India at present is not only inspired by ways of life, but with contemporary thoughts, philosophies and modes. Modern art may be abstract or figurative but an impact of traditional Indian and Persian painting with modern art can be noticed.
Indian Sculptures
The history of Indian sculpture also noticed various transformations over the ages. The pattern of Indian sculpture dates back to the Indus Valley civilization. During that era, statues and figures made of bronze and stones were very popular. This art was origination of third millennium during the period of Maurya Dynasty (Havell, pp. 37-42). The art of Sculptures dominated themes inspired by daily life and court life with figures of Hindu gods and goddesses and Buddha. The supreme illustration of this art was great Baths of Mohenjodaro of Indus Valley Civilization. The expertise of Indian sculptors can be identified by taking a quick view of the Temples of Khajuraho of 11th century AD, Temples of Ellora and Sun Temple of Konark. Muslim rulers introduced completely different patterns of sculpture ((Havell, pp. 49-53). It enhanced the splendor of religious places. The modern Indian Sculptures were entirely different from Muslim Sculptures and were profoundly rooted in Indian History and tradition.
Indian Architecture
Indian architecture includes hordes of expressions over time. Indian architecture evolved over the time with the impact of various invaders who fetched their diverse styles with them. Earliest Hindu architecture goes back with Panini and Patanjali. The dominant and magnificent among temples were Brihadeeswara Temple and Sun Temple (Havell, pp. 23-25).
It was during Ashoka Empire that Buddhism gained status and fame. The most prominent among the ancient architecture of India are the temples of Stupas (hemispherical mound for worship), Chaityas (place of worship) and Viharas (monastery). These represent three building types. Earliest Hindu architecture goes back with Panini and Patanjali. The initial architecture indicate traces of Vedic altars and late Vedic temples and the later emerged the Dravidian Southern style and Indo-Aryan Nagara style of architecture (Havell, pp. 56-59). The dominant and magnificent among them were Brihadeeswara Temple and Sun Temple.
The largely admired Islamic building style in India is the tomb or the mausoleum that evolved during Mughal era. Indian architecture was somewhat modified as per the traditions of new religion, on the arrival of Islam but the nature and temperament was solely Indian. The most renowned are the Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur) and the Taj Mahal (Agra). Later, the planning of Chandigarh was the first step towards the Modern Architecture of India and innovative directions were sought for a momentous architecture (Havell, pg. 105).
Chinese Art
Chinese art has assorted in the course of its prehistoric times splitting up into phases by Dynasties of China. Diverse forms of Chinese art have been influenced politically, religiously and culturally covering fine arts (aesthetics), folk arts (culture and civilization) and performance arts (painting, architecture, music and sculpture) (Chinese Cultural Studies, 2009).
Chinese Painting
Chinese painting began as far as the Neolithic Age with painted pottery particularly with human faces, deer, fish and frogs (Sullivan, pg. 5). The development in Chinese painting from ancient to modern revealed the change in time and social circumstances. These paintings can be found in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou in Southwest China Fujian in East and Mount Yinshan in Inner Mongolia Atlai in west and Heihe in North (Chinese Cultural Studies, 2009). Warring States Period noticed a push to the silk painting but reached at peak in Han Dynasty. It followed the introduction to Buddhism to Chinese in first century, from India. This era witnessed the prominence of religious murals, stone and brick carvings. Figurative art or painting flourished during the Tang Dynasty (ChinatownConnection, 2009).
The period of Yuan Dynasty signifies high standard landscape painting which had an impact on the painting of Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. The end of Qing Dynasty saw the origin of Shanghai Painting School. This school played its role in evolution of modern art out of classical one (ChinatownConnection, 2009). In 17th century, oil painting was introduced in China. This Western art got fame in early 20th century and it boomed in 1980s. Folk painting, which dates back to Qing and Han Dynasties, got popularity in Song Dynasty and reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty (Sullivan, pg. 60).
Chinese Sculpture
Chinese were expert artisans who formed excellent bronze sculptures. It was in Chou period that this art reached its zenith. The enormous ritual vessels used for worship by gentry are the best examples of this period. The tombs of Han Empire show a vivid selection of carvings in jade, clay figures of people, animals and household vessels. The most glorious tomb of this century was Shi Huangdi at Xian, China (ChinatownConnection, 2009). One of its chambers uncovered an army of 6,000 full size terracotta soldiers and the other possessed 1,400 ceramic figures of cavalrymen and chariots. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhist art prospered. The terracotta figures of that period were magnificent with replacement of iron. Religious sculptures were made in stone form. Chinese sculpture lost evaded with the drop of Buddhism in the Sung period (960-1279). However, appealing and remarkable works were persistently created, for instance, the Bodhisattvas (ChinatownConnection, 2009).
Chinese Architecture
Chinese architecture is rare in architectural history. Though the essential elements have transformed yet the ground philosophy at the back of style is identical. An eminent instance of Chinese architecture is the Forbidden City where halls are spacious more like Western structures. Chinese architecture has a long history and as old as the Chinese. Chinese architecture represents the authority and power of ruling dynasties over people stressing the significance of people instead of gods (ChinatownConnection, 2009).
Japanese Art
Japanese have a lengthy history stretched from 10th B.C, to present with an aptitude to mimic and take in alien cultures. Japanese art encompasses diverse styles and modes of art like sculpture (bronze and wood), painting (ink and silk) and ancient architecture and ceramics.
Japanese Painting
Painting is certainly the most admired and most studied of all Japanese art forms, with its sophistication, directness as well as complexity. Japanese painting style was significantly inspired by Chinese painting styles. Through Muromachi period (1338-1573), Chinese paintings started paving their way into the homes of affluent Japanese as an outcome of trade with China. However, Japanese did not imitate it entirely (Mason, pp. 12-17). They merged it with Japanese tastes. Chinese style Ink painting became popular in Muromachi period (1392-1573). In the subsequent Momoyama period (1573-1603), the traditional style of landscape painting was expanded, most frequently formed on huge screens. An innovative painting technique appeared during the Edo period (1603-1867) where complete bits were painted with gold leaf settings, creating an effect like religious montage of the Western Medieval period (Mason, pp. 56-63).
During this period, great masterpieces of carving were created with a requirement of miniature sculptures. Later, a fresh sort of art developed in the form of wood-block prints that attracted the feudal along with the lower class. Throughout 19th century, a small number of print designers achieved distinction, but no master emerged to equate their antecedents. The majority of 20th century painters were influenced by Western styles and in lacquer ware, ceramics and textiles they were universally acknowledged.
Japanese Sculpture
One of the widely esteemed art forms in Japan is sculpture. All through Japanese history, sculptures were of diverse modes like made of clay, bronze, stone, dry lacquer and wood. The Joman period (2200 BC) witnessed the initial form of sculpture made of clay. The ancient sculptures from this period often were figurines (Mason, pp. 63-67). One example of this is a strange sculpture. It is a little figure with heart-shaped head and a tiny, circular mouth. Japanese sculpture is stunning and Buddhism is the centre of its attention. The earliest dogu and the haniwa figures were formed of clay with a legend at the back of their structure and formation.Japanese architecture
Japanese architecture began in 57 BC. Majority structures were pit dwellings but Japan progressed as the time passed. Initial forms of Japanese architecture resembles with Korean architecture. Some ancient instances include Iksan and Miruksa. Horyuji, a temple in Nara, built in Korean style, dates back to the Asuka period. Architecture during the Nara period (710-794) was inclined by the Tang style, portrayed by firm and reasonable magnitude. Domestic architecture during the Muromachi period (1333-1573) observed the excellence of the shoin-zukuri style, which is the pioneer of the style of the contemporary Japanese house with tatami mats covering floors (Mason, pp. 20-23).The Momoyama period (1573-1603) brought about an improved knowledge of culture, through merchants who combined assets through abroad trade. An example is the fame and increase of the tea ceremony. This style still exists in architecture today.
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