The middle ages

TASK - Research Medieval China and analyse two examples of imagery from that culture

In 4th century China, Buddhism became the central religion of the country. Depictions of Buddha were made in art and sculpture to honor him as well as small shrine sculptures or 'stupas', which were usually made of bronze.



Model of a stupa (Buddhist shrine), 4th century AD

This particular shrine sculpture was created as a means to pray to Buddha. The ascending domes at the top of the sculpture represent a 'great ladder that lead to heaven'. Stupas like these would be made and carried out to Buddhist shrines in different countries like Tibet, India, Pakistan and Japan.



'Portrait of Shun' Oku Myoha' by Shun Oku Myoha, 1383


This hanging scroll self portrait of a Chinese man was made for a ritual at a Buddhist subtemple in Kyoto, Japan. Portraits like these are called 'Chinsos' and were originally intended to be displayed at funerals and memorial services.

Bibliography:

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hi/te_index.asp?i=9
http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/history.htm
http://www.languages.ufl.edu/EMC/