Religious Architecture (Chinese Art Collection · Architectural Art Edition)

Author: Zhang Zhen Guang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features:
1. The selection range of The Complete Collection of Chinese Art: Architecture Volume - Religious Architecture includes Buddhist architecture, Taoist architecture, and Islamic architecture. Taoist structures such as the Five Great Mountains Temples and the Temple of Guandi are included in the Temples and Shrines Volume due to their emphasis on sacrificial significance. Islamic structures like madrasas, qubbas, and residential buildings are categorized and included in the Tombs Volume and Residential Architecture Volume, respectively, based on their typological characteristics. This volume does not include them.
2. The selection criteria for this volume prioritize religious buildings with high historical and architectural value, including Buddhist temples, stupas, hall temples, grottoes, stupas, Taoist temples, mosques, and prayer halls. Those with outstanding artistic achievements in decorative details are also selected.
3. The plate arrangement in this volume is organized by religious building types. Within each type, structures are ordered by chronological construction, from earliest to latest, to help readers appreciate the temporal characteristics of religious architectural art.
4. The preface features an essay titled Chinese Religious Architecture Art, co-authored by Sun Dazhang and Yu Weiguo, as an introduction to the volume. The plate section includes 192 selected photographs of religious architecture, showcasing overall, individual, and detailed artistic elements. Each photograph is briefly described in the plate captions, highlighting the historical and artistic value of the structures to assist readers in understanding and appreciating the content.