Throughout the history of imperial China, the educated elite used various means to criticize government policies and actions. During the Song dynasty (960-1278), some members of this elite found an elegant and subtle means of dissent: landscape painting.
By examining literary archetypes, the titles of paintings, contemporary inscriptions, and the historical context, Alfreda Murck shows that certain paintings expressed strong political opinions--some transparent, others deliberately concealed. She argues that the coding of messages in seemingly innocuous paintings was an important factor in the growing respect for painting among the educated elite and that the capacity of painting's systems of reference to allow scholars to express dissent with impunity contributed to the art's vitality and longevity.
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Throughout the history of imperial China, the educated elite used various means to criticize government policies and actions. During the Song dynasty (960-1278), some members of this elite found an elegant and subtle means of dissent: landscape painting.
By examining literary archetypes, the titles of paintings, contemporary inscriptions, and the historical context, Alfreda Murck shows that certain paintings expressed strong political opinions--some transparent, others deliberately concealed. She argues that the coding of messages in seemingly innocuous paintings was an important factor in the growing respect for painting among the educated elite and that the capacity of painting's systems of reference to allow scholars to express dissent with impunity contributed to the art's vitality and longevity.
Imprint | Harvard University Asia Center |
Country of origin | United States |
Series | Harvard-Yenching Institute Monograph Series |
Release date | May 2002 |
Availability | Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days |
First published | April 2002 |
Authors | Alfreda Murck |
Dimensions | 279 x 216 x 19mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Paperback |
Pages | 440 |
Edition | New edition |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-674-00782-6 |
Barcode | 9780674007826 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-674-00782-4 |