Words and Images: Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting

Words and Images contains twenty-three essays based on papers presented at an international symposium held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in May 1985 to celebrate the gifts and promised gifts of Chinese calligraphy and painting from John M. Crawford, Jr. In these essays senior scholars from Asia and America express a wide range of perspectives on an issue that is central to the history of Chinese visual aesthetics--the relationships among poetry, calligraphy, and painting. The practice of integrating the three art forms in one work of art emerged during the Yan dynasty (1279-1369) largely in the context of the literati scholar-artist culture. This interdisciplinary exploration of the literati painting inscribed with poetry and of related topics involves art historians, literary historians, and scholars of calligraphy who cover roughly two millennia of Chinese history in their research. Chinese characters have been provided throughout the texts for artists' names, for titles of works of art and literature, and for important historical figures, as well as for excerpts of relevant poetry and prose. A chronology, also containing Chinese characters, and an extensive glossary-index are included.