Chinese Calligraphy: An Introduction to Its Aesthetic and Technique, Third Revised and Enlarged Edition / Edition 3

by Yee Chiang, Herbert Read

Overview

Chiang Yee’s Chinese Calligraphy: An Introduction to Its Aesthetic and Technique remains the classic introduction to Chinese calligraphy. In eleven richly illustrated chapters, Chiang explores the aesthetics and the technique of this art in which rhythm, line, and structure are perfectly embodied. He measures the slow change from pictograph to stroke to the style and shape of written characters by the great calligraphers.

In addition to aesthetic considerations, the text deals with more practical subjects such as the origin and construction of the Chinese characters, styles, technique, strokes, composition, training, and the relations between calligraphy and other forms of Chinese art.

Chinese Calligraphy is a superb appreciation of beauty in the movement of strokes and in the patterns of structure—and an inspiration to amateurs as well as professionals interested in the decorative arts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674122260
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	01/01/1974
Edition description:	Third Revised and Enlarged Edition
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	1,156,376
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Chiang Yee (1903–1977) was Professor Emeritus of Chinese at Columbia University. He was also a poet and painter, and the author of many books of travel writing, as well as children’s books. He illustrated all of his books and was best known for his “The Silent Traveler in…” series, which presented destinations from a Chinese perspective.

Table of Contents

Preface, by Sir Herbert Read

Author's Note

I. Introduction

II. The Origin and Construction of Chinese Characters

III. The Styles

IV. The Abstract Beauty of Chinese Calligraphy

V. Technique

VI. The Strokes

VII. Composition

VIII. Training

IX. The Relations Between Calligraphy and Other Forms of Chinese

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

A splendid book in which the plates alone would make a valuable acquisition… Chiang is the confident master, writing in a manner that is both businesslike and imaginative.

The Times

A splendid book in which the plates alone would make a valuable acquisition... Chiang is the confident master, writing in a manner that is both businesslike and imaginative.-- "The Times"

From the Publisher

A splendid book in which the plates alone would make a valuable acquisition… Chiang is the confident master, writing in a manner that is both businesslike and imaginative.

The Times

A splendid book in which the plates alone would make a valuable acquisition… Mr. Chiang is the confident master, writing in a manner that is both businesslike and imaginative.

The Times of London

A splendid book in which the plates alone would make a valuable acquisition...Mr. Chiang is the confident master, writing in a manner that is both businesslike and imaginative.

The London Times