According to Fairbank and Goldman one of the most compelling urges in Chinese culture is the need for unity, and harmony within the whole (47). This has been played out time and again and can be seen distinctly in the art produced in China during the periods of unification, including the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing periods (76).
Vigor and prosperity were prevalent during the Tang Dynasty (618-907)(Artlex www.artlex.com). Art during this time had been infused by the nomadic tribes who had become sinicized and married into the Sui and Tang lines (Fairbank and Goldman 77). One example is the Sancai Tang horse (next page) in warm tones (Artlex www.artlex.com) representative of prosperity and power.
The Song period (960-1279) is called China's ôgreatest ageö in creativity, technology, production and government, even though it was being taken over by outside forces (Fairbank and Goldman 88). The pillow (next page) represents the delicacy prevalent during that time (Artlex www.artlex.com).
The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) was a time of relative peace and prosperity, despite an emperor who fiercely demanded centralized control of everything (Fairbank and Goldman 122). Resurgence of Confucian ideals also marked this time as stylized and symmetrical art was encouraged (see plate next page) (Artlex www.artlex.com).
Finally, there is the Qing period (1644-1911), known because of the Western influence that slowly invaded Chinese art and philosophy at the time, as well as the influence of the Manchus (Fairbank and Goldman 145). In many ways this created a much more loose composition as seen in some of their paintings (next page).
The Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties each uniquely influenced the art of China, adding to it more delicacy, balance, unity and harmony with each passing reign.
Sancai Tang Horse (Artlex www.artlex.com).
Song Porcelain Pillow in the form of a boy and a lotus leaf (Artlex www.artlex.com).
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