Imperial calligraphic collection of the Tang dynasty

Presenter Information

Xie CHEN, Shenzhen Museum

Location

Lingnan University / Online Session via Zoom

Start Date

20-5-2021 1:00 PM

End Date

20-5-2021 2:30 PM

Description

This article explores the cultural and political values with which imperial collections were endowed by Tang critics, also examines the management and uses of imperial calligraphic collections at the Tang courts. It argues that, under the Tang, the imperial calligraphic collection was adopted as a sign of cultured rule, a common aesthetic pursuit among the elites, a platform for power exchange and social interaction between the Tang rulers and ministers.

This article begins with a discussion of the monumentality of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, arguing that the imperial patronage for Wang's calligraphy was not only motivated by the Tang rulers' personal aesthetic sensibilities but was who driven by a desire to demonstrate imperial authority and to present their rulership as continuations of a classical cultural tradition. The second section moves to the management of, vicissitudes faced by, and uses of imperial Tang calligraphic collections. It demonstrates that the substances and colours used for the standard mounting of calligraphic treasures held at the inner storehouse were chosen in accordance with rulers' requirements to demonstrate respect for a cultural legacy and to claim that they possessed authoritative knowledge of this culture. It shows that the quality of imperial calligraphic collections largely relied on the ministers entrusted by the rulers with the task of managing the calligraphic works, which also reflected the rulers' capability of making judgments on subjects. In addition, access to the imperial calligraphic collections was often granted by emperors as a reward to officials. The sharing of exclusive cultural resources was supposed to generate gratitude among the subjects and strengthen the bonds between them and rulers as members of the same community of interests.

Recommended Citation

Chen, X. (2021, May). Imperial calligraphic collection of the Tang dynasty. Presented at Then and Now: Collecting Art and Exhibiting Cultures in Asia Conference, Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

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May 20th, 1:00 PM May 20th, 2:30 PM

Imperial calligraphic collection of the Tang dynasty

Lingnan University / Online Session via Zoom

This article explores the cultural and political values with which imperial collections were endowed by Tang critics, also examines the management and uses of imperial calligraphic collections at the Tang courts. It argues that, under the Tang, the imperial calligraphic collection was adopted as a sign of cultured rule, a common aesthetic pursuit among the elites, a platform for power exchange and social interaction between the Tang rulers and ministers.

This article begins with a discussion of the monumentality of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, arguing that the imperial patronage for Wang's calligraphy was not only motivated by the Tang rulers' personal aesthetic sensibilities but was who driven by a desire to demonstrate imperial authority and to present their rulership as continuations of a classical cultural tradition. The second section moves to the management of, vicissitudes faced by, and uses of imperial Tang calligraphic collections. It demonstrates that the substances and colours used for the standard mounting of calligraphic treasures held at the inner storehouse were chosen in accordance with rulers' requirements to demonstrate respect for a cultural legacy and to claim that they possessed authoritative knowledge of this culture. It shows that the quality of imperial calligraphic collections largely relied on the ministers entrusted by the rulers with the task of managing the calligraphic works, which also reflected the rulers' capability of making judgments on subjects. In addition, access to the imperial calligraphic collections was often granted by emperors as a reward to officials. The sharing of exclusive cultural resources was supposed to generate gratitude among the subjects and strengthen the bonds between them and rulers as members of the same community of interests.