Illustrated History of Chinese Painting

Chinese Painting: A Pictorial History

This book is part of a series of books on Asian art curated by the Swiss artist Schirra in 1958 as part of his already renowned series on European art. Recommended by Helen Schirra, then a doctoral candidate, the book was commissioned by Cahill, who completed a concise, innovative, and readable general history of art.
Cahill's comprehensive history of Chinese painting, with both pictures and text, allows one to appreciate famous Chinese paintings from a foreigner's perspective. 100 works string together an explanation of the history of painting, making it an art book that appeals to both the elite and the masses.
Since its first publication in English, French, and German in 1960, this book has remained the most popular concise history of Chinese painting in the West, consistently reprinted. The author blends the methodologies of Western sinology and art history, using the most representative works of each era to discuss and analyze the connections and transformations in the history of Chinese painting. He also attempts to connect the intentions and meanings of Chinese painting with various factors in intellectual history, social history, and economic history, clearly presenting to the reader his own perspective on Chinese painting, the result of the collective efforts of many experts. Furthermore, the book features a selection of masterpieces from the United States, Japan, and the National Palace Museum in Taipei, offering detailed interpretations. Through realistic examples, concrete descriptions, a progressive narrative, and a professional perspective, the book guides the reader along the historical trajectory.
Cahill's writing is characterized by directly engaging with the artist's own experience and observation of the painting, leading the reader into an understanding of the history of painting, rather than resorting to conceptual descriptions based on historical records of his life and style. This is well reflected in several academic monographs published by Sanlian. This book, originally written for a general audience in the Spanish-speaking world, is more accessible than research works written for specialized audiences, resulting in a more nuanced analysis of the painting.

2014-04-01

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