All Things -- An Open Series of Art History Books

Author: (German) Red Hou, translated by General Manager Zhang and others
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: Red Hou, a professor at the Department of East Asian Art History at Heidelberg University, is one of the most influential sinologists in Western sinology who studies Chinese art. Upon its release, the book attracted widespread attention from Western sinology and academia, and its viewpoints were widely cited. The author delves into the layers of Chinese culture and aesthetic concepts from multiple perspectives, following both the historical thread and the process of technological development, as well as by artistic categories and the distinctions in materials and craftsmanship. He analyzes Chinese art and craftsmanship, revealing the most unique and profound aspects of Chinese art history. The author explains that Chinese artists, unlike their Western counterparts, do not seek to faithfully reproduce natural objects but instead explore alternative ways to create countless, even infinite, artworks directly. He also points out to readers how the concept of modules permeates Chinese bureaucratic culture, religion, and ideas about personal freedom. This book takes readers on a profound journey through Chinese art and culture, revealing how Chinese artists produced a vast array of artworks within such a complex system. This system is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophical concepts—the universe is composed of all things.