Hardcover: 360 pages
Publisher: V & A Publishing; 01 edition (7 Oct. 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1851777563
ISBN-13: 978-1851777563
Product Dimensions: 25.4 x 3.2 x 29.2 cm

Painting has always been regarded by the Chinese as a supreme art, its merits equal to those of poetry and philosophy. The tradition can be traced over 2,500 years, but - from very early on - many Chinese paintings were made to be viewed on a temporary basis, displayed for just a few hours, or perhaps several weeks. The masterpieces of the form have been seen very rarely, and then only by few, particularly in the West. This spectacular book accompanies a major V&A; exhibition that brings together some of the world's masterpieces on silk and paper - many of which will be displayed only for a short time. Presenting works from the richest and most representative collections in the world, the book is an authoritative guide to these great works, and includes the best paintings by the greatest masters as well as those by lesser-known artists. Written by a team of international scholars, the book explains the background against which Chinese painters worked, as well as the original social context of the paintings and their display in the palace, temple, studio or tomb.
绘画，与诗歌和哲学一起，被称为中国一项伟大的艺术。绘画传统已经有2500年的发展历史，但是，从很早开始，很多中国画只是被当作一种临时的展品，只被展示几个小时或者几周。这些壮观的书伴随主要博物馆，汇集展览了世界上一些丝绸和纸上的杰作——其中许多将只能在短时间内显示。

Zhang Hongxing is Senior Curator of Chinese Collections at the V&A.; His previous publications include The Qianlong Emperor:Treasures from the Forbidden City (2002); China Design Now (with Lauren Parker, V&A; 2008); and The Most Beautiful Chinese Classical Paintings (with Zheng Xinmiao, 2011).