The Ming Dynasty was to become known by the world as a period of just government and social steadfastness. It issued in a departure of tradition, in regard to merchant trade, and moved toward China's first global market with exchange of goods with Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands. It was this innovation that promoted much of Ming art, especially in lacquer-wares, glazed porcelain and rich embroidered silks.
Paintings of the Ming Dynasty
Among the famous painters of the Ming Dynasty are names like; Shen Zhou, wen Zhemgming, Qiu Ying, Ni Zan, and many others. They followed the styles of the Sung Dynasty but became more technically efficient, their paintings more complex. For more information about Sung Dynasty Art refer to this article. The most well known artists of the period fetched astronomical prices for their work since the newly formed cultural communities was made up of collectors of precious art. Most of the connoisseurs were recently elevated gentry who had moved from the country. They pursued their new fondness with zeal. They furnished their homes with fine paintings and rosewood furniture of intricate lattice work.
Pottery and Other Art of The Ming Dynasty
Porcelain sculpture became very popular during this period with major production in the city of Jingdezhen in Jiangxi providence. The city of Dehua, in Fujian province, produced quality porcelain objects to export to Europe and set the stage for the beginning of Chinese exportation. Much of the porcelain work was white, but later blue and white became an accepted color combination. There was some experimentation with others colors yet white remained the favored medium. Carved designs were often glazed onto the porcelain objects and similar designs could be found carved into lacquer-ware. There was much use of jade, ivory and cloisonne during this period.
Appearance of the Chinese Fictional Novel
It was during the reign of the Ming Dynasty that Chinese writers began to pen fiction. At first the novels were taken from oral Chinese storytellers. They were written down in a language that the layperson could understand and were not just for the elite rich. The books were divided into chapters in the same manner as the storytellers would pause, during a particularly exciting scene, in order to collect money from their captivated audience. Romance soon found its way into these books and became so popular that the upper class gentlemen began seeking the attention of courtesans in order to act out the scenes from their favorite books. This was frowned upon by Confucian believers. The Jin Ping Mei is considered to be one of the most famous novels of the Ming Dynasty and is still read today. It has been compared to the English novel Lady Chatterley's Lover.
Theatrical Arts of the Ming Dynasty
Theater came into its own in China during this Reign. Playwrights of the era allowed their imagination room to roam and several famous plays were written and performed during the Ming Dynasty. One of the most popular and famous plays in Chinese history, The Peony Pavilion, was written by Tang Xianzu, an author from this period. The play was first enacted at the Pavilion of Prince Teng in 1598.
Source:
Ming Dynasty
