The dominating feature od Chinese life is a conservatism that has followed
certain habits and traditions for 40 centuries. Altthough there was some
culture in China five thousand years ago, we shall begin our study with the
Chou Dynasty (1125-255 B.C.), during which time China reached its zenith
of intellectual and artistic achievement. Confucius (552-479 B.C.) was
almost a comtemporary of the Golden Age of Athens.
The Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 221) marked a great development in
China and prepared the way for a new outburst of artistic life under the
Tang Dynasty (618-907), which may be described as the golden age of
Chinese art. There followed a sort of decadence, which was succeeded by
a new revival under the Sung Dynasty (960-1280). During this period there
was a turning back to ancient ideals and masters, just as the 15th-century
masters of Europe turned back to classical masters. This period can be
distinguished by fine landscales and light and graceful statues. Marco Polo
tells of the wonders of China under the first emperors of the Mongol or Yuan
Dynasty (1280-1368). The next dynasty, Ming, turned its eyes to the past
but failed to achieve and real greatness. Since the comming of the Manchu
Dynasty (1644-1911) the art of China has not been outstanding.
In architecture China has just one style, which serves for all purposes from
temple and palace to public building and private dwelling. The design is well
known, being four-sided but not square, built in two sections with a steep
overhanging roof with upturned corners, a raised ridge board with an
elevated section at each end. The buildings in the Forbidden City, Peiping,
are beutifully proportioned and are embelished with glaze tile, lacquers, and
gilding. The work of the Ming and Manchu emperors, these buildings are
typical of the finest Chinese architecture. Few buildings now standing are
older than the Ming Dynasty.