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Salvation in Nuremberg: an iconographic description of selected historiated initials from the Geese book

Description

Morgan Library MS M.905 (the Geese Book) is the last known illuminated gradual produced for the Church of St. Lorenz in Nuremberg, Germany. The Geese Book, which was created during the early sixteenth century, has been in the collection of the Morgan Library since 1961. This thesis describes…

Morgan Library MS M.905 (the Geese Book) is the last known illuminated gradual produced for the Church of St. Lorenz in Nuremberg, Germany. The Geese Book, which was created during the early sixteenth century, has been in the collection of the Morgan Library since 1961. This thesis describes the iconography of the eight historiated initials that illustrate the earthly life of Christ from the Annunciation to the Ascension. A detailed description of the content of each initial is followed by a brief history of the iconographic development of the identified event in order to determine whether or not the Geese Book uses a standard or nonstandard iconography. The results of this analysis reveal how this manuscript fits into the broader contexts of Christian art as well as the specific time and place of its creation. It shows that the iconography of the Geese Book reflected current theological beliefs and societal norms and allowed contemporary viewers of the Geese Book to feel a strong connection to the depicted events.

ContributorsDankert, Rebecca Lynn (Author) / Schleif, Corine (Thesis advisor) / Schier, Volker (Committee member) / Brown, Claudia (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)

Created2011

Chen Rong and the transformation of Nine dragons

Description

This dissertation is the first detailed and extensive study dedicated to the life and art of the master artist and scholar-official Chen Rong (active 13th century), and offers an expanded analysis of his most famous work, the Nine Dragons scroll (1244). It provides a reconstruction of Chen Rong's biography, character…

This dissertation is the first detailed and extensive study dedicated to the life and art of the master artist and scholar-official Chen Rong (active 13th century), and offers an expanded analysis of his most famous work, the Nine Dragons scroll (1244). It provides a reconstruction of Chen Rong's biography, character and political career, and discusses his significance and impact in the study of Chinese painting during the late Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) and beyond, by highlighting the reception and interpretation of the Nine Dragons scroll in the past and in modern times. This is achieved by addressing writings such as eulogies, poems and commentary about Chen Rong by his contemporaries and later biographers, and also analysis of recent works by contemporary Chinese artists that reinterpret Chen Rong's Nine Dragons motif directly. In addition to offering an expanded reading and interpretation of Chen Rong's inscriptions on the Nine Dragons scroll and inscriptions by subsequent viewers of the scroll, this study sheds light on the artistic context, significance, and historical development of dragons and dragon painting in China. This dissertation also offers the first full English transcription and translation of Emperor Qianlong's inscription on the Nine Dragons scroll, and that of his eight officials. Furthermore, this dissertation includes two detailed appendices; one is a detailed appendix of all of Chen Rong's paintings documented to exist today, and the second is a list of paintings attributed to Chen Rong that have been mentioned in historical documents that no longer appear extant. This interdisciplinary study provides insight into the processes that influence how an artist's work is transformed beyond his time to that of legendary status. This clarification of Chen Rong's biography and artistic activity, particularly with respect to his most famous work the Nine Dragons scroll, contributes to modern scholarship by providing an expanded understanding of Chen Rong's life and art, which in turn, adjusts prevailing perceptions of his life and work.

ContributorsChao, Jacqueline (Author) / Brown, Claudia (Thesis advisor) / Codell, Julie (Committee member) / Baker, Janet (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)

Created2012

Traditional Chinese visual design elements: their applicability in contemporary Chinese design

Description

The research presented explores traditional Chinese visual design elements with a goal of incorporating them into contemporary design. It seeks to provide insight into how Chinese and non-Chinese designers and non-designers recognize common visual design elements as being associated with Chinese design. As a result, the research explores three characteristics:…

The research presented explores traditional Chinese visual design elements with a goal of incorporating them into contemporary design. It seeks to provide insight into how Chinese and non-Chinese designers and non-designers recognize common visual design elements as being associated with Chinese design. As a result, the research explores three characteristics: a) handicraft; b) naturalism; and c) design with meaning, which can be key points in understanding traditional Chinese design. Furthermore, the research explores two sets of design criteria that can guide designers to apply these representative design elements into contemporary design in order to express Chinese culture.

ContributorsRen, Liqi (Author) / Giard, Jacques (Thesis advisor) / Brown, Claudia (Committee member) / Cheung, Patrick (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)

Created2013

Flowers bloom and fall

Description

The Vimalakirti Sutra is one of the classics of early Indian Mahayana Buddhism. The sutra narrates that Vimalakirti, an enlightened layman, once made it appear as if he were sick so that he could demonstrate the Law of Mahayana Buddhism to various figures coming to inquire about his illness. This…

The Vimalakirti Sutra is one of the classics of early Indian Mahayana Buddhism. The sutra narrates that Vimalakirti, an enlightened layman, once made it appear as if he were sick so that he could demonstrate the Law of Mahayana Buddhism to various figures coming to inquire about his illness. This dissertation studies representations of The Vimalakirti Sutra in Chinese painting from the fourth to the nineteenth centuries to explore how visualizations of the same text could vary in different periods of time in light of specific artistic, social and religious contexts. In this project, about forty artists who have been recorded representing the sutra in traditional Chinese art criticism and catalogues are identified and discussed in a single study for the first time. A parallel study of recorded paintings and some extant ones of the same period includes six aspects: text content represented, mode of representation, iconography, geographical location, format, and identity of the painter. This systematic examination reveals that two main representational modes have formed in the Six Dynasties period (220-589): depictions of the Great Layman as a single image created by Gu Kaizhi, and narrative illustrations of the sutra initiated by Yuan Qian and his teacher Lu Tanwei. The latter mode, which became more popular than the former in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), experienced adaptation from handscroll to panoramic mural. It is also during this period that a minor scenario, the Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers, became a necessary vignette for representation of the sutra. Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers gradually became an independent theme. This author investigates the thematic shift caused by various factors. These include the transformation of later Chinese narrative painting and the prevalence of shinu hua 仕女畫, painting of beauties, in later Chinese painting. There is also a change in the role of the Heavenly Maiden from one of many maidens to the only and necessary partner of Vimalakirti. Ultimately, the image of the Heavenly Maiden evolves from a Buddhist heavenly being to a Daoist fairy and later to a symbol representing auspicious meanings.

ContributorsLiu, Chen (Author) / Brown, Claudia (Thesis advisor) / Chou, Ju-hsi (Committee member) / Wu, Jiang (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)

Created2011

What the Dragons Know

Description

China's wildlife and the deep connection I felt with it fuelled "What the Dragons Know," a self-published children's book that I wrote and illustrated. My objective was to create a fun and interesting book for children that gave abroad introduction to Chinese wildlife, art and animal mythology. The Chinese landscape…

China's wildlife and the deep connection I felt with it fuelled "What the Dragons Know," a self-published children's book that I wrote and illustrated. My objective was to create a fun and interesting book for children that gave abroad introduction to Chinese wildlife, art and animal mythology. The Chinese landscape has a captivating and unique beauty, which competes daily with the devastating effects of pollution. This project was the manifestation of the passion and sorrow I felt for that landscape. I drew on these feelings, as well as personal past experiences and research into Chinese art, to portray the magnificence of that world and hopefully inspire others. My approach to this challenge consisted of researching Chinese art theories, styles, and techniques, and choosing aspects from all eras that I felt would most engage young readers. I then interpreted and transformed what I'd learned, filling it with my personal style and character. Dong Qichang, a Ming scholar-official, artist and art theorist, emphasized transformation of older models. He, among others, believed that artists should refer to the masters for guidance: using old models as inspiration, imbuing them with one's own style, and creating their own works. His ideas and those of other literati painters drove my approach to this project. This was not so much an effort to make the pictures "look Chinese" per se, but instead my own interaction with and response to Chinese art and art history. My approach to the writing process began with researching Chinese animal symbolism, which I planned to incorporate into my writing. I then outlined an interesting plot and began writing the story, which in turn influenced the illustrations. Like artists of Emperor Huizong's court who painted pictures based on lines of poetry, I also based my compositions around what was happening in the narrative \u2014 using each picture to capture a moment in the story. The illustrations, although primarily intended to be aesthetically appealing, were an experiment with how I reacted to and interacted with the long and intriguing history of Chinese painting. Essentially, I intended to complete a book that was both enjoyable to read and appealing to look at; that would portray the splendor of the Chinese landscape and reflect my feelings for it. The final book will be self-published using CreateSpace.com, and copies will be available for purchase during the Celebrating Honors Symposium or through Amazon.com.

ContributorsSilving, Justine (Author) / Brown, Claudia (Thesis director) / Schutte, Jerry (Committee member) / Videan, Ann (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor)

Created2013-05

Phoebus 6, Number 1: Chinese Painting under the Qianlong Emperor

Description

Phoebus 6, Number 1: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” p. 7-8.

“The Time of Qianlong (1736-1795)” by Wen Fong, p. 9-16.

“The Intellectual Climate in Eighteenth-century China: Glimpses of Beijing, Suzhou, and Yangzhou in the Qianlong Period” by Frederick Mote, p. 17-55.

“The Qianlong Emperor’s Skill in the Connoisseurshi…

Phoebus 6, Number 1: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” p. 7-8.

“The Time of Qianlong (1736-1795)” by Wen Fong, p. 9-16.

“The Intellectual Climate in Eighteenth-century China: Glimpses of Beijing, Suzhou, and Yangzhou in the Qianlong Period” by Frederick Mote, p. 17-55.

“The Qianlong Emperor’s Skill in the Connoisseurship of Chinese Painting” by Kohara Hironobu, p. 56-73.

“An Overview of Stylistic Development in the Qianlong Painting Academy” by She Cheng, p. 74-90.

“Document and Portrait: the Southern Tour Paintings of Kangxi and Qianlong” by Maxwell Hearn, p. 91-131.

“Tangdai: A Biographical Sketch” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 132-140.

“For the Love of God: Castiglione at the Qing Imperial Court” by Howard Rogers, p. 141-160.

“Approaches to Painting at the Qianlong Court” by Claudia Brown, p. 163-168.

“Notes” p. 169-198.

ContributorsFong, Wen (Author) / Mote, Frederick (Author) / Hironobu, Kohara (Author) / Cheng, She (Author) / Hearn, Maxwell (Author) / Chou, Ju-hsi (Author) / Rogers, Howard (Author) / Brown, Claudia (Author)

Created1988

Phoebus 6, Number 2: Chinese Painting Under the Qianlong Emperor

Description

Phoebus 6, Number 2: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” p. 207.

“Figure, Fiction, and Figment in Eighteenth-century Chinese Painting” by Richard Vinograd, p. 209-227.

“Yuan Jiang: Image Maker” by Alfreda Murck, p. 228-260.

“Zheng Xie's Price List: Painting as a Source of Income in Yangzhou” by Ginger Cheng-chi Hsü,…

Phoebus 6, Number 2: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” p. 207.

“Figure, Fiction, and Figment in Eighteenth-century Chinese Painting” by Richard Vinograd, p. 209-227.

“Yuan Jiang: Image Maker” by Alfreda Murck, p. 228-260.

“Zheng Xie's Price List: Painting as a Source of Income in Yangzhou” by Ginger Cheng-chi Hsü, p. 261-271.

“Jin Nong: The Eccentric Painter with a Wintry Heart” by Marshall P. S. Wu, p. 272-294.

“An Overview of Li Jian’s Painting” by Christina Chu, p. 295-315.

“Eighteenth-century Foundations in Modern Chinese Painting” by Chu-tsing Li, p. 316-327.

“Rubric and Art History: The Case of the Eight Eccentrics in Yangzhou” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 329-350.

“Notes” p. 351-379.

“Glossary” p. 381-391.

“Index” p. 393-418

ContributorsVinograd, Richard (Author) / Murck, Alfreda (Author) / Hsu, Ginger Cheng-chi (Author) / Wu, Marshall P. S. (Author) / Chu, Christina (Author) / Li, Chu-tsing (Author) / Chou, Ju-hsi (Author)

Created1991

Phoebus 8: Art at the Close of China's Empire

Description

Phoebus 8: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 9-10.

“The Significance of the Nineteenth Century for Modern Chinese History” by Stephen R. Mackinnon, p. 11-17.

“Looking at Late Qing Painting with New Eyes” by Chu-Tsing Li, p. 18-37.

“Qian Du to Zhang Jing: The Artist and…

Phoebus 8: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 9-10.

“The Significance of the Nineteenth Century for Modern Chinese History” by Stephen R. Mackinnon, p. 11-17.

“Looking at Late Qing Painting with New Eyes” by Chu-Tsing Li, p. 18-37.

“Qian Du to Zhang Jing: The Artist and the Patron” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 38-66.

“Zhou Xian's Fabulous Construct: The Thatched Cottage of Fan Lake” by Britta Erickson, p. 67-93.

“A Forgotten Celebrity: Wang Zhen (1867-1938), Businessman, Philanthropist, and Artist” by Hsing-yuan Tsao, p. 94-109.

“Satire and Situation: Images of the Artist in Late Nineteenth-Century China” by Richard Vinograd, p. 110-133.

“Painters and Publishing in Late Nineteenth-century Shanghai” by Jonathan Hay, p. 134-188.

“Calligraphy at the Close of the Chinese Empire” by Lothar Ledderose, p. 189-207.

“Glossary of Chinese Names and Terms” p. 211-219

ContributorsChou, Ju-hsi (Author) / MacKinnon, Stephen R. (Author) / Li, Chu-tsing (Author) / Erickson, Britta (Author) / Tsao, Hsing-yuan (Author) / Vinograd, Richard (Author) / Hay, Jonathan (Author) / Ledderose, Lothar (Author)

Created1998

Phoebus 2: A Journal of Art History

Description

Phoebus 2: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” by Jack Breckenridge, p. 3.

“Contributors” p. 4-5.

“Table of Contents” p. 6-7.

“The Problem of Antisolimenismo in Neapolitan Baroque Painting” by Donald Rabiner, p. 8-16.

“Mid-Fourteenth Century Painting in Suchou: Some Lesser Masters” by Claudia Brown, p. 17-30.

“A Re-Examination of the Cult…

Phoebus 2: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” by Jack Breckenridge, p. 3.

“Contributors” p. 4-5.

“Table of Contents” p. 6-7.

“The Problem of Antisolimenismo in Neapolitan Baroque Painting” by Donald Rabiner, p. 8-16.

“Mid-Fourteenth Century Painting in Suchou: Some Lesser Masters” by Claudia Brown, p. 17-30.

“A Re-Examination of the Cult of Demeter and the Meaning of the Eleusinian Mysteries” by Sherly Farness, p. 31-38.

“Arizona Portfolio” p. 39-53.

“Wooden Cross” by Mildred Monteverde, p. 40-43.

“Le Petit Tablier” by Rosalind Robinson, p. 44-47.

“La Réunion des plus Célèbres Monuments Antiques de la France” by Vicki C. Wright, p.
48-53.

“An Unpublished Rowlandson Sketchbook” by Anthony Gully, p. 54-74.

“Are We Ready for Shih-T'ao?” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 75-87.

“A Conversation Between Adolph Gottlieb and Jack Breckenridge” transcribed by Jack Breckenridge, p. 88-96.

“Three Recent Art Reference Books” by Winberta Yao, p. 97-102

ContributorsBreckenridge, Jack (Author, Transcriber) / Rabiner, Donald, 1949- (Author) / Brown, Claudia (Author) / Farness, Sherly (Author) / Monteverde, Mildred (Author) / Robinson, Rosalind (Author) / Wright, Vicki C. (Vicki Christine) (Author) / Gully, Anthony (Author) / Chou, Ju-hsi (Author) / Yao, Winberta M. (Author)

Created1979

Phoebus 1: A Journal of Art History

Description

Phoebus 1: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 4-6.

“Dedication” by Harry Wood, p. 7-8.

“Style and Symbolism in the Awatobi Kiva Mural Paintings” by Marvin Cohodas, p. 9-21.

“Mr. B and the Cherubim: A Critical Examination of William Blake's 'A Descriptive Catalogue' of 1809” by…

Phoebus 1: A Journal of Art History - Table of Contents

“Preface” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 4-6.

“Dedication” by Harry Wood, p. 7-8.

“Style and Symbolism in the Awatobi Kiva Mural Paintings” by Marvin Cohodas, p. 9-21.

“Mr. B and the Cherubim: A Critical Examination of William Blake's 'A Descriptive Catalogue' of 1809” by Anthony Gully, p. 23-46.

“Arizona Portfolio” p. 47-64.

“La Muse de Guillaume Apollinaire (The Muse of Guillaume Apollinaire)” by Anthony
Gully, p. 48-51.

“Wild Geese, Flowering Plants, and Tall Reeds” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 52-55.

“Ting” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 56-59.

“Homage to Watteau” by Robin Dowden, p. 60-64.

“A Note on a Letter from Roger Hilton to Terry Frost” by Jack Breckenridge, p. 65-74.

“Ming Idealism and Landscape Painting” by Ju-hsi Chou, p. 75-92.

“Classic Maya Elements in the Iconography of Rulership at El Tajin, Veracruz, Mexico” by Michael Kampen, p. 93-104.

“Anne de Coursey Clapp, Wen Cheng-ming, ‘The Ming Artist and Antiquity’” by Anne de Coursey Clapp and Wen Cheng-ming, p. 105-108.

“‘7+5 Sculptors in the 1950s’: An Exhibition in the Phoenix Art Museum” 108-113.

“List of Contributors” by 114-116.

ContributorsWood, Harry, 1910- (Author) / Chou, Ju-hsi (Author) / Cohodas, Marvin (Author) / Gully, Anthony (Author) / Dowden, Robin (Author) / Breckenridge, Jack (Author) / Kampen, Michael (Author) / Clapp, Anne de Coursey (Author) / Cheng-ming, Wen (Author)

Created1978