Tang Dynasty circa 618-907 AD

This was a period of great unification throughout China. Emperor Taizong the empire to include part of Korea and parts of Central Asia, which facilitated trade along the Silk Road. Many historians regard it as the high point in Chinese civilization.

1. Religion

B. Architecture

the oldest existing buildings in China date back to the Tang Dynasty; only a few pagodas remain. Among them are the Wild Goose Pagodas (ancient religious bulidings) and the Great Hall of Nanchan Monastery.Tang influences on architecture can still be seen today in the monasteries and halls of Korea and Japan; Buddhism came to Japan and Korea from Tang China.

C. Art- the Tang dynasty was the "Golden Age" of literature and Art. The primary subject matter of chinese painting was landscape or shanshui which means mountain-water. The aim of these paintings was not to recreate natures image but to grasp nature’s emotion and atmosphere.

1. Block Printing made written word more accessible. The earliest know example is the Diamond Sutra ca. 868. An original document is produced, and is fixed into place reversed. Artisans carve the original painted, drawn or written image into the block of wood, where ink is placed on the wood and pressed to create a new image. Buddhist monks used block printing to spread sutras among believers.
2. Ceramics included tricolor glazed earthenware, utensils, and figures. Many of these were made to be placed in tombs. Later in the period green-glazed stoneware called celadons and white ware became prominent.
3. Calligraphy reached its peak during the Tang period.

4. Gold and silver work became popular because of Arabian and Persian influence

After several years of political division, the Song dynasty reunified the Chinese Empire. It is divided into two distinct periods the Northern Song (960-1179) and Southern Song (1179-1279). It was a time of great social and economic change

A. Religion- the development of Neo-Confucianism; a mixture of Buddhist and Taoist principles.

1. Art- Song art introduced the age of painting and porcelain. In this period we see the peak of what has become traditional Chinese painting. The Northern Song dynasty witnessed the flowering of one of the quintessential artistic expressions of Chinese civilization; the monumental landscape painting. The painters of this period used the vastness of nature to reveal the insignificance of man.

1. Painting- Painters from all over the country were recruited to the Imperial Painting Academy these painters valued a naturalistic, closely descriptive portrayal of the physical world They were led by the Emperor Huizong who was a skilled calligrapher and painter; under his rule Song art reached a zenith. Southern Song painting focused on evanescent pleasures and the transcience of beauty. The images evoke poetic ideals and appeals to the senses.

2. Ceramic- During this time the famous blue and white porcelain was created. Song porcelain has had a great influence on the porcelain of Korea. Korean porcelain still uses the same colors as in the Song times. Song ceramics drew from ancient bronze ritual vessels, silver work, bowls, and cups from the Tang Dynasty.

Qing Dynasty 1644-1912

- this was the last imperial dynasty of china

Porcelain production continued to be important and innovations were made in the use of new colors. Colors that developed were shades of green, and compositions of black and yellow. A dark blue and brilliant red were also used. During this period European influences in painting began to be seen.

Chinoisorie- a French word used by English speakers for any aspects of chinese influence on the arts of Europe. Objects made in the late 17^th and 18^th century coincided with the increase in exports from China after the ban on foreign trade was lifted in 1684.