This course looks at the history and aesthetics of various arts in China (painting, calligraphy, photography, sculpture, architecture, installation, performance art, video or digital art, etc.), their role in Chinese culture, and in shaping the characteristics of Chinese art in the global context. From the Lingnan School paintings in the late Qing dynasty (1850-1911) to the question of "Chineseness" under the conditions of globalization and digitization (1989-now), we will examine major works of art and analyze primary texts as well as contemporary scholarly writings.
4 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
This course looks at the history and aesthetics of various arts in China (painting, calligraphy, photography, sculpture, architecture, installation, performance art, video or digital art, etc.), their role in Chinese culture, and in shaping the characteristics of Chinese art in the global context. From the Lingnan School paintings in the late Qing dynasty (1850-1911) to the question of "Chineseness" under the conditions of globalization and digitization (1989-now), we will examine major works of art and analyze primary texts as well as contemporary scholarly writings.
Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.