Eternal Beauty 100 Architecture

Author: Liu Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Eternal Beauty tells the story of art spanning from ancient times to the 21st century. From pyramids and Neolithic human sculptures and painted pottery dating back over 3,000 years BCE to outstanding and enigmatic art pieces worldwide in the 21st century, the three volumes each select 100 of the finest and most classic works from ancient and modern China and beyond. With elegant yet highly informative language, they extend the beauty conveyed by the exquisite images into the realm of imagination. When daily trivialities leave us numb, why not pour yourself a cup of tea and savor this spiritual feast? You will meet the ancients, interact with the famous, and share your thoughts with them, bridging the gap between history and allowing the beauty of different generations to converge. Those breathtaking expressions are deeply intertwined with social, historical, and economic contexts. When we engage with art, we are also getting closer to the society and people who created it. Perhaps, images alone can no longer fully satisfy the aesthetic expectations of viewers, so let the combination of images and text make up for the shortcomings of the present. In the process of cleansing our souls, we rediscover history—it is our responsibility. Because ultimately, the ones who benefit are ourselves. This series of books tells the story of "beauty" walking among humans from an artistic perspective. A statue from 5,000 years ago, a temple from 2,000 years ago, or a painting from 300 years ago all transcend their silent existence through mindful appreciation. Intellectual words resonate with the essence of art, giving them a voice. The plants or animals in the paintings, or a single tree in a courtyard, become familiar and through textual interpretation. These once inaccessible works of great beauty may integrate into the cells of our bodies. The insights from the heart move us, guiding us to gradually move beyond confusion and slowly learn to navigate this increasingly complex world. Art is the symbol of the mysterious forces deep within the soul, and only by immersing ourselves in it can we rediscover lost memories. Time and space together form history, and it is not a flat form. As we follow the footsteps of Eternal Beauty through the intricate branches of history, spiritual miracles will continuously appear before us. The power of the predecessors—the great painters, sculptors, architects, musicians, dancers, and the highly skilled craftsmen and artists whose names remain unknown—their thoughts and conflicts, innovations and breakthroughs, will realesce within us. By dispelling the restlessness caused by unknown anxieties, we will realize that "beauty" is born in this way—it is always in progress, constantly evolving and being refined. It requires the collective effort of creators, collectors, critics, and admirers to continuously reexamine and explore, bringing it ever closer to the realm of eternity and infinity.