Chinese Art and Dynastic Time

Chinese Art and Dynastic Time offers a new perspective on Chinese art by examining how it has been described through the lens of dynastic time. It challenges the dominant narrative and provides a foundation for exploring new narrative and interpretive frameworks in art history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Throughout the vast expanse of Chinese history, the concept of dynastic time has held a predominant role in shaping the narrative of art. This framework, which organizes history through the lens of successive dynasties, has largely gone unexamined in discourse and practice. However, in his groundbreaking work, Chinese Art and Dynastic Time, renowned art historian Wu Hung challenges this prevailing perspective and offers a fresh and transformative approach to understanding Chinese art.

Wu Hung's book delves into the intricate tapestry of Chinese art, exploring its evolution across millennia. By contextualizing art within its original cultural, sociopolitical, and artistic frameworks, he sheds light on the deep-rooted patterns that have shaped the historical conceptualization of Chinese art. Through a comprehensive examination of ten case studies, spanning from the third millennium BCE to the early twentieth century CE, Wu Hung uncovers the shifting notions of dynastic time in various contexts. He challenges the notion that dynastic time is the default mode in art historical writing, urging us to explore new narrative and interpretative frameworks.

What sets Chinese Art and Dynastic Time apart is its remarkable sweep and scope. Wu Hung's arguments are presented in a lucid and accessible style, making the book accessible to a wide audience. He probes the roots of the collective imagination in Chinese art, offering a fresh perspective that frees us from long-held perspectives on how this art should be understood. By examining the interplay between dynastic time and artistic creation, Wu Hung opens up new pathways for the consideration of not only Chinese art but also the broader realm of art history.

This critical investigation of dynastic time serves as a foundation for pursuing new narrative and interpretative frameworks in thinking about art history. Wu Hung's work contributes to a growing body of scholarship that seeks to reimagine our understanding of art and its historical context. Published in association with the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art, and Washington, Chinese Art and Dynastic Time is a testament to the power of art to challenge our preconceptions and inspire us to see the world in new ways.

Weight: 1418g
Dimension: 201 x 272 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691231013