Great Dictionary of Chinese Art Appreciation (Vol. 1 & 2)

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1. Artistic China
Love of art is an innate quality of the Chinese people. We can discover countless elegance and beauty in the ordinary world and incorporate them into our lives. Thus, we have exquisite ceramics, magnificent silk, exquisite wood carvings and ivory carvings, and exquisite gold and silver wares. We have grand imperial gardens, exquisite gardens, simple and secluded mountain villas, and cozy cottages where we sweep the roof tiles, burn a stick of sandalwood incense, boil a pot of fragrant tea, play the guqin, and read a volume of the Zhuangzi, singing a clear song. Life is art, and art is life.
2. Refined China
The mysterious and ancient oracle bone script, the splendid and solemn Shang bronzes and Zhou ding, the dignified and elegant Western Zhou nobleman, the ethereal and transcendent Laozi and Zhuangzi, the solemn and mellow Han scholars, the clear and elegant Wei and Jin aristocrats, the poets of the Tang and Song dynasties who sang under the moon, and the poignant songs of Ming and Qing dynasty prose—our pursuit of beauty has deepened into our national marrow. Thus, we have Shang bronzes and Zhou ding, gold-inlaid Warring States artifacts; we have the legendary story of the Epang Palace, the grandeur of the underground army formation in Emperor Qinshihuang's mausoleum; we have the majestic Changle Wuyang, the palace gates reaching into the heavens, we have the lotus-blossoming Buddha carvings and sculptures; the great Buddha of Longmen and Datong; we have the "Wind Blowing Through Wu's Robes," the Zen of Wang Wei, the bone-like and willow-like calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing, the poetry of Du Fu and Han Yu, the brilliance of Su Dongpo, the uniqueness of Lu Zhi, the graceful songs of Shao You, the cloud-reaching strength of Jia Xuan, the benevolent who love mountains, and the wise who love water. Art and the lives of the Chinese people are never separated.
3. Romantic China
Romantic and unrestrained Chinese people constantly transform the mundane into the magical. A pile of mud can be turned into peerless ceramics, vivid and lifelike. A withered root can transform into tigers and eagles, dragons and monkeys playing. A soft brush can bring forth magnificent mountains and rivers, radiant flowers, depicting the transformation of mist and clouds, the vigor of wind and rain. A piece of wood can be carved into exquisite furniture. A weathered stone can become a delicate and transparent rockery. A white wall can lead us into a beauty that falls from the sky. A few Shang bronzes and Zhou ding can evoke the longing for antiquity, causing us to sing under the bright moon.
4. Antique China
The enduring Chinese civilization, spanning eight thousand years, has never ceased or declined. Sweeping with a hoe might unearth a Han gold seal; drilling a well might reveal a Zhou bronze treasure trove. An inconspicuous porcelain bowl could be a masterpiece from the Tang dynasty imperial kiln. A square brick carved with patterns can tell you the vicissitudes of thousands of years of history. The stone lions without legs or seats at the door might even be older than American history.
5. Collecting China
China, where treasures are scattered everywhere, where antiques abound, where art is everywhere! Facing the splendor, how would you feel? The essence of China's eight thousand years of civilization is displayed here. The beauty of its figures and eras over thousands of years converges here. Facing beauty, do you collect? In your free time from work, like the ancients, burn a stick of sandalwood incense, boil a pot of fragrant tea, drape a crane feather robe, free yourself from worldly worries, admire the bamboo for a while, appreciate the antiques, savor the ancient paintings, and practice calligraphy. The true meaning of life lies here! The true enjoyment of life is all here! Collect China, collect this unparalleled beauty and splendor.
Appreciating art, feel the elegance and vicissitudes of eight thousand years of civilization.
Appreciation is the process of identifying, savoring, and admiring artworks one collects. Due to limited conditions, we cannot collect those national treasures, but we can savor and feel through the exquisite photos of the originals. Since art is an innate instinct of humanity, it can bring infinite joy, nourish the soul with beauty, elevate emotions, and relax the mind after a tense day of work. Collecting art can also cultivate one's family, broaden knowledge, and enhance talent.
Because Chinese art is the most beautiful art in the world, the richest in content, the most aligned with the lives of the Chinese, and the most capable of reflecting the creative wisdom of the Chinese people. This book selects nearly 800 exquisite ancient Chinese artworks, categorized into bronzes, ceramics, jade, gold and silver wares, calligraphy, and paintings. In addition to the exquisite images, it provides detailed analysis and introduction of the name, era, size, author, origin, collection location, artistic style, etc., of each selected work, making it a comprehensive and suitable choice for collectors and admirers.