Potter, Painter, and Goldsmith: How Asian Art is Made

In this seminar, we will explore the manner in which the distinctive artistic traditions of China, Korea, and Japan were shaped by the materials and techniques available to ancient craftsmen. Through observation of objects from the Middlebury Museum of Art, we will explore such questions as, “How was Asian art made? Why it is made that way? What was its historical impact?” Topics will include jade and hardstones, bronze, textiles, ceramics, painting, lacquer, glass, and gold. This course requires no prior experience in art history or Asian studies and is ideally suited to students who wish to learn more about art, Asian history, or conservation science. 3 hrs. lect.