The Dialogue between Chinese Art and Philosophy

This course will discuss the important concepts of Chinese aesthetics in historical context as well as their relationship with Chinese art. The four main periods are: pre-Qin, Wen and Jin, Tang and Song, Ming and Qing.  

Students will:  

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese aesthetics’ significant concepts
• Relate Chinese aesthetics to Chinese art

Course content:

Lesson 1: Explain the aesthetic ideas of philosophers such as Laozi, Confucius, Mozi, Zhuangzi and Xunzi in the pre-Qin period 

Lesson 2: Explain Wei-Jin Ne-Taoism and its aesthetic implication, how it influences the development of Chinese art 

Lesson 3: Explain how Chinese art continued to develop in the Sun-Ming period, discuss how the six painting principles were reconstructed by Zhang Yanyuan, and the idea of “Yijing”. 

Lesson 4: Explain the aesthetics of Wang Fuzhi, and the painting theory of Shi tao in the Ming-Qing period. 

Tutor

Dr. Leung Kwong Yiu 

Dr Leung majored in Aesthetics and is particularly interested in researching methods of thinking, art, religion, ethics, and Chinese philosophy. He has also authored books such as “Illustrated Thinking Methods”, “The End of Art”, “Illustrated Practical Ethics”, “Illustrated Political Philosophy”, “Illustrated Ancient Chinese Philosophy”, and “Japan Sketch Collection”.