Topic: The Dragon Throne: Imperial Art in China
In traditional China, people admitted to the presence of the
emperor entered the "Forbidden City"--the imperial palace
compound--by way of a long series of monumental gates,
courtyards, and terraces, past bronze incense-burners the size of
small cars, to kowtow before the emperor in  embroidered yellow
robes on the Dragon Throne: a huge high-backed seat carved with
writhing dragons, brilliant with lacquer and gold, on a tall
platform in a stately audience hall--the "Hall of Eternal
Harmony."

The works of art with which the emperors of China surrounded
themselves over history--buildings, sculptures, pictures, ritual
objects, things of daily use--were more than luxurious private
possessions; they also played an important role in public life
and national events. The imperial arts of China are the subject
of this course. We will concentrate on five aspects or categories
of the material:  (1) artifacts used in imperial sacrifices to
the spirit world, so the emperor could communicate with his dead
ancestors, foretell the future, and be advised on his acts;  (2)
the structure and furnishings of royal tombs, designed to provide
for the emperor in an eternal afterlife;  (3) objects
commissioned to celebrate the emperor and the state, document
their glory, and consolidate their links to religious
institutions; (4) propaganda pictures sponsored by the emperor
during a time when China was weak, to bolster the nation's sense
of superiority;  and (5) the cultural projects of the Manchu
rulers of the last (Qing) dynasty, to win over their resentful
Chinese subjects and assert their ownership of Chinese culture--
and indeed of world culture.

Readings will be from a coursepack and from books on reserve for
the course. There will be several quizzes and short written
assignments, and a final exam. No previous knowledge of Chinese
culture or of art history is necessary.