From Chang'an to Athens (Vol. 1-3) -- A Journey Through Chinese and Foreign Art and Archaeology

Author: Wang Ziyun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This travelogue covers a long period, being a comprehensive collection of the author's multiple travel and research experiences. For example, the travel in Western Europe dates back to the 1930s, and half a century has passed since then, seemingly long forgotten. However, art differs from the ever-evolving natural sciences. The timeless masterpieces in museums worldwide become more precious with age, always serving as models and sources of inspiration. Even modern and avant-garde artists draw inspiration and references from the works of renowned masters in art museums. On the other hand, some artworks seen half a century ago may no longer exist today, and the masterpieces in museums may also undergo changes or losses. Such cases are more common domestically, especially with cave temples, monasteries, and tomb carvings. The relics and artifacts visible in the 1940s and 1950s have been destroyed innumerable times after the decade of chaos. Although this is merely a fraction of the national artistic treasures the author once witnessed but can no longer see today, even this small example demonstrates that decades of records are not only not outdated but even more valuable.