Art History 370/East Asian 355: Arts of China

Study Sheet #9: The Song Dynasty

Map marking ancient sites, modern cities and provinces

CHRONOLOGY AND HISTORY:

 

In 960, after several decades of regional division, the Song dynasty reestablished a unified empire, though a much smaller one than in the Tang period. Along the northern border, the Song were threatened by hostile regimes, first the Liao (see Study Sheet #8) and then the Jin (1115-1234).

In 1126, the Jin invaded the Song and conquered much of its territory, including its capital at Kaifeng. A prince, who became Emperor Gaozong (r. 1127-1162), re-established the Song in the south, and a capital was built at Hangzhou.

With the Jin invasion marking an important turning point, the Song is often divided into Northern Song (960-1126) and Southern Song (1127-1279).

PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE:

Development of Neo-Confucianism, partly influenced by concepts from Chan (meditation) Buddhism.

Emergence of scholars' ("literati") culture and concept of certain arts as congenial modes for self-expression; compilation of encyclopedias; antiquarianism; art collecting.

The Song is generally regarded as a period of cultural introspection and consolidation, in contrast to the Tang.

ART:

 

Painting:

• initial formulation of the concept of scholars' painting
• flourishing of painting at court
• development of fan and album-leaf formats
• painting associated with Chan Buddhism
• painting associated with Daoism

Artists:

Northern Song -

• Fan Kuan
  
  
  
• Guo Xi
  
  
  
• Su Shi
  
  
  
• Wen Tong
  
  
• Huang Tingjian (calligrapher)
  
  
• Mi Fu (also called Mi Fei)
  
  
  
• Li Gonglin (also called Li Longmian)
  
  
  
• Zhang Zeduan
  
  
  
• Emperor Huizong
  
  
  

Southern Song -

• Emperor Gaozong (calligrapher)
  
  
• Mi Youren
  
  
  
• Ma Hezhi
  
  
• Empress Yang (Yang Meizi) (calligrapher)
  
  
• Ma Yuan
  
  
  
• Xia Gui
  
  
  
• Mu Qi
  
  
  
• Chen Rong
  
  
  

Ceramics: profusion of regional wares, many of them characterized by simplicity of shape and restraint in decoration:

 

(Northern Song)

• Ding ware: white or occasionally red- or black- glazed porcelain; plain or with incised or mold-impressed decor.
  
  
  
  
• Ru ware: pale blue-glazed thin-walled stoneware, made for Emperor Huizong (reigned 1100-1125).
  
  
  
  

(Southern Song)

• Court wares
  
  
  
  
• Jian ware (sometimes called "temmoku") - coarse dark ware, for teabowls.
  
  
  
  
• qingbai (or yingqing) ware - thin porcelain with glassy bluish glaze, made at Jingdezhen.

 

(Song-Yuan)

• Cizhou ware - a diverse group of robust stonewares made in North China for popular use, often with bold decoration.

Buddhist images become more worldly in appearance.

• Guanyin
  

  

• Some Buddhist paintings are produced by commercial workshops.