World Art Encyclopedia (no)

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Features: "A nation that has made cultural progress should, while implementing science education, also promote art education." This was the call issued by Mr. Cai Yuanpei in his 1919 essay "Cultural Movement Should Not Forget Aesthetic Education." In fact, the importance of art education for national quality had long been recognized by Mr. Cai Yuanpei. Two years earlier, in 1917, he proposed the idea of popularizing art education in his lecture titled "Replacing Religion with Aesthetic Education," advocating the spread of "pure aesthetic education" among the masses and highlighting the profound significance of implementing widespread art education to improve the national character. He also outlined a beautiful blueprint for the spiritual civilization of the nation, hoping that "everyone, regardless of their background, would have the opportunity to engage with art at all times." Mr. Cai Yuanpei's educational philosophy of making artworks accessible to all was unattainable in the old China plagued by internal and external crises, but it inspired generations of dedicated individuals to make relentless efforts toward this goal.
After the founding of New China, especially since the reform and opening-up, the material and social conditions for promoting art education among the masses have been established. The importance of art education has been recognized by governments and educational institutions at all levels, which view it as a crucial component of quality-oriented education. Art education plays a vital role in developing human intelligence and potential, cultivating moral character, and enhancing overall competence, and this has become an increasingly shared understanding in society. Currently, in school education, primary and secondary schools have added more hours to their existing art classes, high schools have introduced art appreciation courses, and some well-equipped universities have offered elective courses related to art. Beyond the campus, in recent years, with the substantial improvement in people's living standards, the demand for enriching spiritual life has become increasingly urgent, naturally including the growing demand for art among the masses. In response to the demands of the times, promoting the popularization of art education and improving people's aesthetic qualities has become the purpose of compiling and publishing this book.
This is a large-scale publishing project that comprehensively and systematically documents the world's cultural heritage. The end of the 20th century marked a period in human civilization's 10,000-year history. At the threshold of the 21st century, everyone must obtain a "visa" to enter the new era. The basic qualification is to possess high quality, and aesthetic quality is indispensable. For the Chinese people, who constitute the largest population in the world, it is particularly unforgivable to be ignorant of their own nation's artistic heritage. We must cast our gaze upon the past of humanity, through the pearls of wisdom—artistic heritage—to appreciate the glory of art and absorb its nourishment. This is both a review of artistic heritage, a tribute to its creators, and a refinement and expansion of this legacy.
This comprehensive guide should hold special significance in the history of Chinese publishing. Using authoritative histories of painting, sculpture, architecture, calligraphy, folk art, and applied arts as its historical framework, we have professionally categorized the classic works of art from each period, arranged them chronologically, and constructed a monumental work of over 7,000 images and a million words. The images take precedence, with text and images mutually reinforcing each other, and historical analysis intertwined, creating a grand spectacle. Without this, it would be insufficient to reflect the depth and splendor of human civilization or to effectively strengthen aesthetic education through the charm of art.
The large-scale illustrated dictionary presented to readers has the potential to build a rich and vibrant classroom for aesthetic education, which would be a cause for celebration among Chinese cultural figures. Mr. Cai Yuanpei's advocacy for making artworks accessible to all is earnestly realized here. We look forward to the active participation of to jointly promote the development of the art cause and the improvement of aesthetic quality across the nation.