Art in the Yuan Dynasty

Art in the Yuan Dynasty

By Melissa Rose—Red Class—2/2/12

            The arts were a very big part of Chinese life in the Yuan Dynasty. Many artists painted pictures expressing feelings on the foreign rule. Many artists of the time were the scholars, who would paint a landscape, and sometimes a person in traditional Chinese robes in the background.

            Many paintings included animals such as horses and fish, and almost every picture had Chinese writing and calligraphy printed on the sides. Flowers and bamboo trees were also a main focus in lots of artwork. The paintings were drawn on papyrus scrolls, and used many inks, but most popularly, red and black. Chinese artwork greatly reflected on every-day life. Confucianism was still a big belief system at the time, and many of the pictures promoted peace and virtues that Confucius had preached. Many of the paintings that survived to today are portraits of emperors and famous officials, or they are of nature and scenery.    

            Also in addition to paintings, Yuan artwork included “china” dishware, which was made from white porcelain and painted with intricate blue designs, and sometimes including scenery. Ceramics and pottery were also in high abundance, because they were in high demand in the west, and often traded along the Silk Road. These vases and pots were often made from clay and painted brightly with flowers and patterns.

            Many Chinese people enjoyed creating artwork either for themselves, or to sell as vendors, or trade along the Silk Road. The specific style of art is easily recognizable as Chinese, because of the bamboo and Cyprus trees which are most common. Art played a big role in the Yuan world, and we learn more and more history through every painting.

"China" dishware
(From www.babybegood.nl)

Pottery: Vase
(From dynastyantique.com)

"Summer Mountains" by Qu Ding
(From metmuseum.org)