Screen of Kings
Subtitle: Royal Art and Power in Ming China
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Published: Jun 15, 2013
Language: eng
Format: hardcover
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9781780231037
Description: "Screen of Kings is the first book in any language to examine the cultural role of the regional aristocracy - relatives of the emperors - in Ming dynasty China (1368-1644). Through an analysis of their patronage of architecture, calligraphy, painting and other art forms, and through a study of the contents of their splendid and recently excavated tombs, this innovative study puts the aristocracy back at the heart of accounts of China's culture, from which they have been excluded until very recently. Screen of Kings challenges much of the received wisdom about Ming China. Craig Clunas sheds new light on many familiar artworks, as well as works that have never before been reproduced. New archaeological discoveries have furnished the author with evidence of the lavish and spectacular lifestyles of these provincial princes and demonstrate how central the imperial family was to the high culture of the Ming era." -- Publisher's website.
Notes: Source title: Screen of Kings: Royal Art and Power in Ming China