Chinese Art in the Art Institute of Chicago
The distinguished collection of Chinese art in the Art Institute of Chicago encompasses the full chronological and material scope of Chinese visual culture from the Neolithic period (circa 6000–2000 BCE) to the twentieth century. Particularly notable are the Buckingham collection of ancient Chinese bronzes ranging from the Shang (circa 1600–1046 BCE) to Han (206 BCE–220 CE) periods, more than six hundred jades from the Neolithic to the Han periods in the Edward and Louis B. Sonnenschein Collection, and some fine later jades. The superb ceramics include exceptional Tang dynasty (618–906) burial figures, a strong representation of all the major wares from the Song dynasty (960–1279), including Yazhou and Longquan celadons, fine Ding ware, Cizhou ware, a famous Jizhou tea bowl, Jian and Jun wares, and superb Qingbai. Ming and Qing porcelains include all the major decorative types, such as an exquisite group of imperial Qing porcelains. Examples of Ming and Qing lacquer and cloisonné and scholars’ objects are also represented. Buddhist art includes an important stele and sculpture dating to the sixth to eighth century, as well as a few superb gilt bronzes from the Liao dynasty (916–1125) and the Dali kingdom. A representative collection of Chinese painting ranges from Southern Song to Qing and includes works by Ni Zan (1301–1374), Tang Yin (1470–1524), Wen Zhengming (1470–1559), and other literati painters, in addition to printed books and rubbings.