The Art of Ancient China

The history of Ancient China is 5000 years old. The formation of the Celestial culture began during the Qin Dynasty, which lasted only a short time, and continued during the Han Dynasty. At the turn of the millennium, China developed quite intensively, and at the same time the art of Ancient China appeared.

First of all, there was a traditional Chinese painting - fine art, in no small degree philosophical, furnished with a whole series of ritual conventions. The first and mandatory rule when writing a picture is that the story should contain a story. In accordance with the second rule, the picture was written in the poetic form of an utterance, revealing the meaning of the plot. I had to write in a calligraphic style. As we see, the art of ancient China already demanded sacrifices.

In addition, the artist was obliged for each picture in advance to produce a seal with his name, which he "signed" the finished work. The technique of drawing was also strictly defined. There were two methods for writing paintings: "gongbi" and "sei". In the manner of "gongbi", paintings were written, in which clearly drawn lines, general contour drawing and detailing of objects were required. And the style of "sei" presupposed a blurring of outlines, approximations and conventionality. Artists used in their work mascara, watercolor paints, silk fabrics, rice and bamboo paper. Painting, as the fine art of Ancient China, was the most difficult process of that time.

Simultaneously with the advent of traditional Chinese painting, the art of ceramics developed. The manufacture of clay products was not particularly refined, pots and jugs were made by the method of hand modeling or on a primitive potter's wheel, but ceramic products in the style of high art were adorned. Bright, colorful drawings were embossed on the surface of a vase or a jug, geometrically correct patterns and ornaments were rhythmically repeated, creating whole compositions. After a certain period of time, the art of ceramics gradually passed into the famous Chinese porcelain, which is highly valued today.

The Chinese Han dynasty is also interesting in the art of bronze casting. The technology was complex, but the finished vessel or vase impressed with the perfection of the pattern. Ancient Chinese masters managed to convey the finest images, whole subjects, animals and plants. According to clay forms found during the excavations, it is possible to restore the picture of the appearance of bronze casting, when the art of Ancient China was developed in many directions. A clay copy of the future vessel was made, then a pattern was drawn on the surface. After that, the shape was fired and a different shape was created using the reverse impression, already with a relief pattern. In this form, molten bronze was cast, then the shape was broken into small pieces. Thus, the ceramic art of Ancient China is characterized by exclusive products.

For all the importance of applied art, it is impossible not to mention theatrical. This folk art appeared in the 6th century AD. And gained strength until the 10th century, acquiring new forms. Ancient Chinese theater was formed as a complex, multi-stage performance, including pantomime, dance and singing, a clear distinction between the role of actors, unpretentious scenery, which performed only a small additional role in the play. And in general, Chinese theatrical art was a significant part of the culture of ancient China. Certainly, the art of Ancient China, summarized in this article, does not give an idea of the art of the country in full, "behind the scenes" were such kinds as letter on knots, sculpture of clay giants, art of silk fabrics, gunpowder and, finally, Chinese cuisine .