Chinese School

Many cultures cherish the hope of protecting the deceased from harm on the journey after death. Generous grave goods are said to support the fortunes of the deceased in an unknown realm. The famous terracotta army found in the Chinese province of Shaanxi was given to the grave to support an emperor. The warriors with their horses were supposed to escort the ruler in the afterlife. Protection is not the only thing rooted in Chinese culture. Precious robes and carvings made of jade and splendid tomb plaques are supposed to guarantee a carefree life after death. Unique bronze ritual cups are among the highest quality art objects in China.

Unlike Western art, in the Chinese view of art, there is no distinction between high quality painting and art that is used in everyday life. The beauty of a ceramic is valued as highly as a bronze sculpture. Seeing art in everyday things was carried from China to other cultures and had a strong influence on the Japanese understanding of art. Artistic artifacts are especially found in Chinese interiors. Boxes, tins and cupboards are decorated with intricate carvings, often made from the finest materials. An important element in the representation of figures and small pieces of furniture is the coating with lacquer. A craft that was developed in China and optimized to perfection in Japan. Wood is traditionally used as the support for the glaze. Up to two hundred wafer-thin layers are applied to the carved figures. Each individual layer must dry for at least one week. To finish, the varnish is polished to a high shine with a little oil and a soft cloth.

Chinese culture has seen the change of various dynasties. Art has remained largely unaffected by this. Chinese artists stand for tradition and continuity to a high degree. Artists found role models in previous generations rather than in the innovations that came to the country. Characteristic is the respect for tradition, which is reflected in architecture as well as in painting or craftsmanship. Marco Polo was one of the first to bring travel reports from faraway China to Europe. European society was impressed and could hardly wait for the arrival of the first merchant ships from the exotic country. The fine porcelain and valuable lacquer work soon began to influence the European art world. The influence of the Chinese School on foreign countries is also known as Chinoiserie. The term is derived from the French language and refers to art objects that take Chinese artifacts as their model.