Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Ming Dynasty Founder: Taizu

(Hongwu Emperor)

Emperor Chengzu: Yongle Period (1402-

36) “Golden age” of Ming dynasty Sent Zheng He abroad

Expansion of the Great Wall

Ming ArtBamboo: symbol of integrity and strengthXia Chang “Scholar Painting” Calligraphic style 1460

Ming Porcelain (c. 1430)

Ming Dish (late 15th, early 16th century)

Wucai ("five-color") decoration

Blanc de Chine Bodidharma (6thth

century Buddhist monk, founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China

Blanc de chine Serenity of expression Drapery of robes Why big earlobes?

Cloisonné Jar (Xuande period: 1426-35)

Stemcup with Sea Creatures

Beyond Pottery…

Other Advances Compendium of

Oriental Medicine, by Li Shizhen (1518 - 1593)

Agricultural Advanced (maize and potatoes from new world)

Examination system revived

“Meritocracy”: government by best performers on exams

Posting of the Examination Results (Detail) 1540 (National Palace Museum, Taipei)

Pipa

Rag-dung

Cloisonné Tibetan-style trumpets

(call to prayer) Likely a gift for foreign

official (recall tribute system)

Collapsible! Cloisonné usually used

on boxes, vases

Wardrobe (16th c)

Bedding below Hats above Made without glue or

nails (joinery)

700-year-old Ming Mummy

The Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)

Multi-ethnic state (China, Manchuria, Tibet) Manchu rulers (descendants of Jurchin people:

recall Jin Dynasty during time of Southern Song)

Greatest territory in the history of China Lasted until Republic of China founded (end of

dynastic rule) Two major rulers, each 60-year reigns

Kangxi (1662-1722) Took throne at age 8 Recruited scholars from the

south Won over Chinese elite and

eventually the Chinese (Han)

Stabilized the empire Moved on to building

economy and encouraging arts

Southern Inspection Tours Scrolls (six journeys)

Portrait of the Kangxi Emperor as a Young Man The Palace Museum, Beijing

Qianlong (1736-1795) Grandson to Kangxi Made six journeys to

south and scrolls of his own

“Universal Ruler” Multi-ethnic state

solidified Territory expanded to

greatest size Major patron of the arts

Inauguration Portraits of Qianlong, the Empress, and the Eleven Imperial Consorts (Detail) Cleveland Museum of Art

Geography of Empire

Qing Art Traditionalist

s Individualists Official court

artists

Queue

Qing Wardrobes (for the elite)