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The Dayton
Art Institute presents its first blockbuster exhibition in 3 1/2 years,
earning national and international attention for this presentation of
rare national treasures from China. ETERNAL CHINA – Splendors
from the First Dynasties comprises 115 sculptural objects in a wide
variety of media from the Qin (221–206 BC) and Han (206 BC–220
AD) dynasties. The exhibition is arranged in reverse chronological order and divided into three major sections: the Qin dynasty, the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–9 AD), and the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD). The first section includes pottery, human and animal figures, architectural models, and stone carvings, representing the life and beliefs of the ancient Chinese people of the Eastern Han dynasty. The second section explores the art of the Western Han dynasty, highlighted by a group of exquisite jades and bronzes that were created for the imperial family. This section also includes twelve human and animal figures, recently excavated near the tomb of Emperor Jing (reigned 157–141 BC). The last section is a spectacular display of twelve life–sized terracotta figures excavated from the pits surrounding the tomb of the First Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi (lived 259–210 BC). These terracotta figures–including officers, archers, soldiers and a calvary horse–represent the army of the First Emperor and were buried surrounding his tomb to protect him in the afterlife. First Dynasties and Related Archaeology The Qin and Han dynasties, the first major dynasties after China was unified by Qin himself, built their capital near present–day Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. During these two periods, more than fifteen emperors reigned and the country grew to be one of the most prosperous in the world. Ancient Xi'an has attracted the attention of treasure hunters for centuries. Many artifacts have been removed from tombs without benefit of capturing valuable archaeological data. The first organized archaeological digs in the Xi'an area were in 1933, but significant progress has been made since the 1950s. The most celebrated project has been the excavation of Emperor Qin's army, first discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well. This discovery is widely considered to be the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. Theme: Quest for Eternity The ancient Chinese people had a strong belief in the afterlife and saw death as a continuation of their present life. Tomb art conveys these beliefs of ancient peoples, and frequently, family resources would be strained in order to build a proper tomb for a deceased family member. Ancient tombs were constructed of either wood or stone slates; their chambers were furnished with daily utensils, domestic animals, birds and architectural models to use in the afterlife. Examples featured in this exhibition include a gilded bronze incense burner excavated at Emperor Wu's mausoleum and a pottery pigsty excavated in the tomb of the Yang family cemetery. Stone–built tombs decorated with human and religious subjects indicate that tomb sites also functioned as ritual sites where ceremonial services were performed. A variety of mythological animals were created to ward off evil spirits. These animals, either carved on stone slates or sculpted as free–standing figures, appear in a wide variety of media: jade, gold, bronze, and clay. Theme: Cultural Diversity During the Qin and Han periods, northern China was an important frontier that linked the country with several nomadic peoples. Works of art featured in this exhibition exemplify cultural exchange between the East and West. For example, a group of gold and silver animal figures–including rare and mythological species like unicorns, camels and monkeys–illustrate the bold design and exquisite casting technique employed by the Xiongnu, nomadic peoples who lived on the Ordos plateau to the north of China during the 3rd century BC. And, Eastern Han potters used a "lead glaze" containing a large amount of oxidized lead that turned green or brown when fired. Introduced from Western Asia during the 1st century AD, this early glaze also suggests a link between ancient China, Central Asia and Western Asia. On view at The Dayton Art Institute through June 7, the exhibition was organized by the Art Institute's Curator of Asian Art, Ms. Li Jian, with the cooperation of The Administrative Bureau of Museums and Archaeological Data of Shaanxi Province, The People's Republic of China. For additional information, call 800–296–4426. ETERNAL CHINA's U.S. tour is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In Dayton, it is presented by the General Motors Corporation, with additional support from Mrs. Virginia W. Kettering and Family, Residence Inn by Marriott–Dayton South, United Health Care, Bank One, N.A., Montgomery County, WHIO–Channel 7, Dayton Daily News and the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau. |
