East Asian Art

Catalog description

This course offers an introduction to the visual arts and cultures of East Asia, spanning from prehistoric times to the present day. Focusing primarily on China, Japan, and Korea, students will explore a diverse range of artistic media, including sculpture, painting, ceramics, and architecture. Through case studies and paradigmatic examples, we will examine important art historical concepts, such as stylistic transmission, cross-cultural exchanges, influence and appropriation, materiality, artistic processes, agency, and artistic identity. We will also study the fundamental principles of Buddhism and Confucianism to better understand their impact on artistic expression, symbolism, and patronage. By engaging with historical contexts and theoretical approaches, students will develop a deeper understanding of the dynamic visual traditions that have shaped East Asian art over the centuries.