Art History of China



Art History of China

Introduction

Buddhism began in the north of India during the sixth century, although many historians believe it was, brought to China during the second century through traders and monks along Silk Road. During the Tang dynasty when it experienced its golden age, Buddhism had already been in practice for 500 years in China.

Buddhism started with the life of a single man, Siddhartha Gautama, who died in 400 B.C.

According to the view that was widespread in those time he, he had lived various lives during which time he gained enough value to be born again for the last time to gain enlightenment and become a Buddha and to teach everyone else the understanding and knowledge he had gained. Buddha is, known to have achieved a complete state of spiritual enlightenment and is not constrained by the world.

Chinese Buddhist sculptures often illustrate interchange between the Buddhist center and China. The sculpture shows that power physique, thin clothing has been, derived from the Indians and sculptures that have thicker clothing, and thin bodies featured are, made according to the Chinese sculpture prototypes.

Shakyamuni, the Historical Buddha

After the death of Buddha and him attaining nirvana, his followers together formed communities to preserve his relics in the form of various stupa and reliquary mounds. The famous sculpture Probably Shakyamuni, The Historical Buddha (M.2007.111), which is from the Middle of Tang Dynasty, is a pedestal that has been, carved from a single solid piece of marble. During the dynasty this sculpture was carved in, marble was only kept and reserved for pieces of art that were of great importance so it only made sense to use marble for creating Buddha. The expression has been, clearly shown to be that of a man who was serene and meditative, away from the chaos of the world, perfectly quite and still. The view that was common in that time is, he had lived various lives during which time he gained enough value to be born again for the last time to gain enlightenment and become a Buddha and to teach everyone else the understanding and knowledge he had gained. However, the hands of the sculpture are speaking a language and talking to those who look at it.

This is a spectacular piece of art, which has great historical importance. The legs are, crossed in a meditative position known as padmasana, and the chest in a yoga disciplined way of breath called prana, which overall created a strong and powerful image. The figure has been, carved very delicately and robe has been, carved in a way that it defines the form with the untailored robe wrapped around.

The folds and drapes of the robe have been, incised deeply to give the sculpture a large degree of three dimensionality and surface animation. The figure of the Buddha is on an unadorned plinth. The stylish rendering of the robe can be, seen when seen closely, and the proportions have been, measured to make it ...