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.
繪畫，與詩歌和哲學一起，被稱為中國一項偉大的藝術。繪畫傳統已經有2500年的發展曆史，但是，從很早開始，很多中國畫隻是被當作一種臨時的展品，隻被展示幾個小時或者幾周。這些壯觀的書伴隨主要博物館，匯集展覽瞭世界上一些絲綢和紙上的傑作——其中許多將隻能在短時間內顯示。

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).