Possessing the Past: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Kuo Li Ku Kung Po Wu Yuan; Fong, Wen; Watt, James C.Y.

ISBN 10: 0810964945 / ISBN 13: 9780810964945

Published by Abrams, NY, 1996

About this Item

BRAND NEW BOOK and DJ, BOTH in MINT/ PRISTINE condition, and DJ now protected with new Mylar covering. // The sumptuous catalogue for a Metropolitan show of the Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei. An extraordinary addition to any collection of books on Chinese or oriental art, and a breath-taking gift. // No finer copy exists. Seller Inventory # 001380

Bibliographic Details

Title: Possessing the Past: Treasures from the ...

Publisher: Abrams, NY

Publication Date: 1996

Binding: Cloth Hardcover

Condition: New

Dust Jacket Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis:

Introduces Chinese dynastic history, and examines the Museum and its collection

From Library Journal:

To those fortunate enough to see an exhibition, a catalog can serve as a guide or souvenir. But to those at some remove in time or distance, the catalog often represents their only contact with the exhibit and must stand as a marker of the scholarship invested in it and a visual testament of the objects displayed. To deal with these differing and conflicting roles, the exhibition of imperial treasures from China currently touring this country has two catalogs of differing length and scope. After introducing each historical period, Splendors of Imperial China highlights 107 of the 475 artworks in the exhibition and gives a short analysis of the works. Smaller ceramic and bronze pieces are shown in full, as are some painted works, but many large scrolls are shown only in detail. These details lose the larger perspective vital to understanding such wall-spanning scrolls as Huai-su's "Autobiographical Essay," a purely calligraphic portrait that progresses from small, tight characters to marvelous looping, flying ones as the painter drinks more and more wine. Possessing the Past is the inclusive scholarly text illustrating all 475 artworks. Clearly intended to have lasting value and to present in-depth information on thousands of years of Chinese art history, it lacks some of the graphic verve of Splendors. Both volumes are slightly marred by some poorly reproduced images. Splendors of Imperial China will suit general readers seeking a visual introduction to classical Chinese art, while Possessing the Past will anchor academic art history collections.?David McClelland, formerly with Temple Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.