미의 역정

by Li Zehou, 리쩌허우

Since it was first published in Chinese in 1981, The Path of Beauty has been read widely and translated into several languages, becoming a classic in the study of Chinese aesthetics. The author, a noted philosopher and aesthetician, draws on examples of sculpture, painting, calligraphy, and poetry, among other sources, from throughout China's history to build a cogent and engaging argument concerning the nature of Chinese artistic values. While providing an historical overview of Chinese art from antiquity to modern times, he examines as well the evolution of the sociological, psychological, philosophical, and spiritual underpinnings of Chinese culture.

"Rarely do we see the contemporary Communist Chinese view of ancient Chinese culture--and in this specific case, aesthetics--so freely set forth....Li's very personal view is a welcome addition to the study of aesthetics in any culture."--Choice
"...clearly one of the best short, single-volume histories of Chinese art currently available....anyone interested in Chinese aesthetics is urged to read some of Li Zehou's other books in English. But for those interested in a comprehensive, extremely well-written, highly informative, and enjoyable short history of Chinese art, suitable for high school and lower-division college instruction, this book is highly recommended."--Journal of Aesthetic Education

Genres: Philosophy, China, Art, History

556 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a conversational history of Chinese art, literature and some music. However, it is light on analysis of Chinese aesthetics. There is a lot of fun detailed history in thus book and how it affected art. However, large questions are left unanswered. (Why line and not color? Why non linear paintings?) His Marxist outlook does not keep him from admiring feudal art or waxing eloquently on the dissipated carpe dium of the Romantic poets, but it does seem to keep him from looking sensitively at Confusian literature and Buddhist art (except for pointing out its excesses and promuscuities with other ideals). There is little comparative analysis with western art and his distinctions between Greek and Confucian logic systems seemed unsubstantiated to me and I suspect to many professional philosophy students. As a Chinese national he seems too close to the subject; as a Marxist, he seems too far.

[CP · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book that talks about what is beautiful and how the concept of beauty evolves in the history of China. There is an inevitable sense of material impacting the spiritual and this sense of beauty (not surprising given the Marist tilt). Unfortunately, the length of the book restricts some more in depth discussions. Still it serves as such a nice introduction into the beauty world that it irresistibly prompts readers to think.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Li Zehou was one of the first mainland Chinese writers to go back to study of tradition and history without the full Marxist lenses. His efforts are uneven, but his book is still useful. Not as good of study of Chinese art as Taiwan though.

[Yaping Wang · Rating 3 out of 5]

这本书真是读到怀疑自己有阅读障碍，而我上一次有这种感觉还是读维特根斯坦，实在不明白为什么对此书的赞誉之声不绝于耳。

最初期待着阅读过程是极愉悦的（毕竟稍微看看别人写的书评就会有这样的期待），结果却发现这本书是过去三年里读过最「难」读下去的书...不是内容有多艰深，而是没有预料到 1. 行文会是这么拗口（不只是那个年代还是作者独有的行文风格的缘故），用词抽象浮夸，仿佛梦回初中读余秋雨； 2. 内容极度主观，严肃的论证是不存在的，只是几句意思相同的话翻来覆去变着法子说，言之无物，味同嚼蜡。

撑到魏晋部分的时候觉得稍微能接受点了，但已经心累到不想再读下去了。

[Colchicine · Rating 5 out of 5]

‍俱往矣。然而，美的历程却是指向未来的。

[Alexander Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

上高中的时候，在语文老师的带领下第一次阅读这本大作。如今快40岁重读，有了很多新的体会。高中那本书还在，看着上面曾经稚嫩的批注，感叹读书给我带来的成长与感悟。
一个关于中国美学的全景式解读，五星好评，无需多言。读完此书，下次去博物馆，你更能体会到文物究竟美在哪里。另外，此次重读感受到作者始终坚持马克思主义指导，采取阶级斗争视角去批判与发展传统美学，竟然不会很突兀，算是个很小众的切入点。

[Yiying Zhao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the easiest read but profound and makes me feel proud of the unique Chinese aesthetics

[Tai Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

俱往矣

[dashan · Rating 5 out of 5]

以前看与历史有关的书，都会感到王朝的黑暗与暴戾、血腥、残酷。
觉得历史就是一部野蛮史，杀戮史。
这本书，写的是关于朝代的美的文化。第一次发现，原来，中华历史也是这么璀璨的。
也因为这本书，最近开始重拾软笔书法。以前一直写楷书，现在想试试隶书、小篆。

[Anran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for Chinese Art history.

[jungli · Rating 5 out of 5]

意犹未尽，美不胜收

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

配着日本美学研究又读了一遍李泽厚先生的美学经典，发现之前理论性强的部分基本等于没读，汗颜。再翻一遍，感觉到中式和日式美学的差别。我最喜欢的美学阶段（？）是魏晋和宋，居然都有跟日式美学重叠的部分。魏晋风骨更像是东方版的文艺复兴，受到佛教影响巨多。宋朝山水画的淡雅跟日式幽玄有异曲同工之妙。