The Arts of China

by Michael Sullivan

For the fifth edition of his internationally renowned The Arts of China, Michael Sullivan has thoroughly revised and expanded every chapter of this classic history of Chinese art from the Neolithic period to the present day. This new edition reflects the latest archaeological discoveries, pays greater attention to the art of calligraphy, provides more information on Chan (Zen) art, and takes a close look at contemporary art. New images have been added to almost every the work now features more than four hundred photographs, maps, and illustrations, with more than two-thirds of them in full color. Written in the engaging and lucid style that is Sullivan's hallmark, The Arts of China is readily accessible to general readers as well as serious students of art history. Sullivan's approach remains true to the way the Chinese themselves view art, providing readers with a sense of the sweep of history through China's dynasties. This organizational strategy makes it

Genres: Art, China, Nonfiction, History, Art History, Asia, School

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Donovan Michael Sullivan (Chinese: 蘇立文), 29 October 1916 – 28 September 2013, was a Canadian-born British art historian and collector, and one of the major Western pioneers in the field of modern Chinese art history and criticism.

Sullivan was born in Toronto, Canada, and moved to England at the age of three. He was the youngest of five children of Alan Sullivan (pen name Sinclair Murray), a Canadian mining engineer turned novelist and his wife Elisabeth (née Hees). Sullivan was a graduate of Rugby School and graduated from the University of Cambridge in architecture in 1939. He was in China from 1940–1946 with the International and Chinese Red Cross followed by teaching and doing museum work in Chengdu, where he met and married Wu Huan (Khoan), a biologist who gave up her career to work with him.

He received a PhD from Harvard University (1952) and a post-doctoral Bollingen Fellowship. He subsequently taught in the University of Singapore, and returned to London in the 1960s to teach at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Then he became Christensen Professor of Chinese art in the Department of Art at Stanford University from 1966 to 1984, before moving to the University of Oxford as a Fellow by Special Election at St Catherine's College, Oxford. He lived in Oxford, England. He was Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford for 1973–74.

Sullivan was a major art collector who owned more than 400 works of art, including paintings by Chinese masters Qi Baishi, Zhang Daqian, and Wu Guanzhong. His was one of the world's most significant collections of modern Chinese art. He bequeathed his collection to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which has a gallery dedicated to Sullivan and his wife Khoan.

Reviews

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wouldn't expect such fine discrimination and revealing insights in what is ostensibly a college textbook, but Sullivan's passion carries the entire book along in a wonderfully readable way. No snoozing through this book at all.

[Madeline Tomasik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because why can a textbook not be a part of my reading goal? Very informative, gave a great history and how art has played and continues to play a huge part in Chinese government and culture. Went through the majority of the major dynasties throughout China. This book gave me a great introduction to Chinese art history which will be so helpful in my future careers.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is organized temporally by Chinese dynasties. Each chapter begins with a section on the historical context of the art in that time period. It is a college textbook and it would be tedious and confusing to read straight through it. But you can read it selectively, for example, by finding the section on painting (or ceramics or sculpture) in each chapter. I appreciate the inclusion of dynasty maps.

[Nathan Bernacet · Rating 3 out of 5]

All cultures must be explored in art for total social awareness.

[Kai Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given to me by my uncle for Christmas when I was in middle school, this is one of my favorite books to browse through.

[jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Chapters 5-10

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice overview and introduction to the traditional arts of China. People looking for more can use the bibliography.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic introduction to Chinese history and material culture. Some interesting images.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed from an art teacher. Great introduction into Chinese history through art. (High school/college level.)

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. Provided sufficient historical and religious context with which to interpret the art. Lots of great illustrations.