China ancient stone carving is a special category. From its initial appearance to the early 1980s, the products of each period have their own specific styles, which will not be copied by future generations. Because for the ancients, stone carving has always been a sacred object carrying inner beliefs.
First, the Han Dynasty (Shinto period)
In the Han Dynasty, the ancients took local materials and carved them with shapes, refining lines and surfaces in rough space. It is the greatest feature of that period to give relief to work and refine beauty with thoughts. The most representative work is stepping on the stone statues in front of the tombs of Xiongnu and Huo Qubing. There are also a large number of stone reliefs unearthed, which also reflects people's generalization of the height of the body at that time, their understanding of death for a living, and their inheritance and development of ancient legends.
Second, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties (Paradise Period)
During this period, due to the popularization of Buddhist culture and the great integration of nationalities, the theme of stone carving was better and more diversified, and the diversity of styles and skill reached an unprecedented level. At this time, the sculptures of Buddha statues have both a broad and dignified realm and an elegant and vivid aesthetic feeling.
Sculpture production is large in scale and quantity, and artistic skills have been greatly improved. Buddhist sculpture occupied a major position in this period, with the most outstanding achievements. It mainly draws lessons from foreign artistic achievements in Buddhist statues.
The process of war and integration between different dynasties and different nationalities is also a process of great integration of different cultural systems and different stone carving styles, which laid a solid ideological and cultural foundation for the cultural unification in Sui and Tang Dynasties.
This period is a paradise for stone carving, and all works are as sacred as pens made in heaven.
Third, the artistic peak of Sui and Tang Dynasties (court period)
After three and a half centuries of division and turmoil, the Sui and Tang Dynasties in China were reunited and stabilized, and entered an unprecedented historical period of political and economic prosperity, thus pushing the development of sculpture art to a new peak.
Sui and Tang stone carvings combined the achievements of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and absorbed the nutrients of foreign art through the Silk Road. Sculpture shines brilliantly in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, creating an immortal masterpiece with the style of the times.
Fourth, the Song and Yuan Dynasties (humanization period)
Sculpture in Song and Yuan Dynasties lacked the grand scale and unrestrained momentum in Sui and Tang Dynasties, but developed in the meticulous carving of realistic techniques. Religious sculptures have played an important role, and the custom of digging grottoes has declined, and temple sculptures still have a certain scale. Due to the further secularization of religious art, the idealized elements in the statues of gods and buddhas are obviously weakened, and the atmosphere of real life is greatly enhanced.
Fifth, Ming and Qing dynasties (secularization period) were more grounded.
Stone carvings in Ming and Qing dynasties continued to develop along the ancient tradition, showing stereotypes and secularization. The technique of expression is becoming more and more popular, forming a delicate, complex, slender and lively artistic style. The themes are also varied, from palaces and temples to house console tables, from statues and historical sites to lion protection and horse village.
Looking at ancient stone carving art, we can't look at beauty and ugliness with one-sided preference of the times. Because the ancestors of different times produced works with the characteristics of the times and national characteristics under different cultural systems and production tools. With the spread and blending of culture, the theme becomes richer and more diversified. This is an objective existence, and we should look at the problems left over from history from a comprehensive perspective.
Our present era is the last era of stone carving art. What we can do is to show and display the heritage of ancient stone carving with modern aesthetics. The perfect furnishings we can achieve are the greatest respect of our generation for ancient ancestors.
Extended data:
According to Dragon magazine's report on the 6th, the first International Biennale of Urban Sculpture in China's Qin and Han New Cities, sponsored by Beijing Long Yuan Traditional Cultural Exchange Promotion Center, will be held in Venice at 1 1 local time, and a press conference will be held. Chinese and foreign artists are welcome to participate in the construction of urban public space in China.
The first "China Qin and Han New Town Urban Sculpture International Biennale" is a biennale with sculpture as the main artistic carrier. Relying on Qin and Han New Town in Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, the exhibition aims to enrich the aesthetic needs of China city, improve the quality of urban public space and highlight the cultural connotation of the city.
China Xixian Qin-Han New Town is rich in historical and cultural resources, and the sites of Zhou, Qin and Han dynasties are all over the place. Among them, the ruins of the capital of Daqin Empire and the Nine Gallery of the Western Han Mausoleum, which are known as the "pyramids of China", are famous for the long-standing tombs of Liu Bang, Mao Mausoleum in Liu Che and Liu Qiyang Mausoleum.
With a history of more than 2,000 years, China Xixian Qin and Han New Town bears the spiritual roots of oriental civilization and reflects the source of Chinese civilization. In recent years, in the urban construction of Xixian-Qinhan New Town, more than 40 large sculptures have been created within the scope of more than 200 square kilometers. Such as "Qin people's footsteps" and "frozen water". These sculptures show the rich cultural heritage of ancient cities and endless new impetus for development.
References:
Baidu Encyclopedia-Ancient Sculptures in China
China Tibet Net -20 19 Press Conference of the First "China Qin and Han New Town Sculpture Biennale"