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Displaying objects requires knowledge of curatorial practice in both the museum and commercial contexts. Courtesy of the Musée des arts asiatiques Guimet à Paris. Ceramics hold a special place in the Arts of China. The unique methods of production developed in China over many hundreds of years created an international market in porcelain and a whole branch of connoisseurship in ceramics which has led to such pieces being regarded as some of the greatest works of fine art ever produced in the world. Students gain the confidence to communicate and present the results of their research, developing knowledge about quality, rarity and value which is so important to art-world practice. Courtesy of the Musée des arts asiatiques Guimet à Paris.
A finely carved spinach-green jade boulder Qianlong Period (1736-1795) Chinese art is both the oldest and the newest art in the world. Rare large bronze ritual wine vessel and cover, You A Magnificent Imperial famille rose ‘deer’ vase, Hu
There is no substitute for being there An integral part of the Arts of China course is the two week field study which takes in Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei. Your visit to Hong Kong will coincide with the major Christie’s sales and you will be able to preview the works being auctioned. Chinese art has been collected internationally for hundreds of years and full use is made of the great European collections. Students met with Chinese art expert John Finlay in Paris, where they also visited museums and special collections.
Object handling lies at the heart of all Chrisite’s Education courses. Sometimes two objects apparently from the same period might actually be hundreds of years apart. Authenticity is the most difficult thing to judge in Chinese art because of the traditions and continuity of production that is almost unbroken over hundreds of years. This is particularly true of Chinese jade. Examining a wide variety of object types enables students to discover the nuances of different media and styles.
Meeting artists and art-world practitioners helps students gain an informed understanding of the past and the present. Insights into curating are gained through access to private galleries as well as the auction house. Photo courtesy of Pékin Fine Arts. Lukas Nickel introduces students to the Christie’s warehouse. Regular visits to Christie’s salerooms with Christie’s specialists provides insights into the current market.

The Christie's Part-time Course - Arts of China: Cultural Crossroads in Asia

Course Content

  • Neolithic and Bronze Age art, culture and burial practices.
  • The establishment of lacquer, silk, jade and painting traditions.
  • Buddhist art in China from the Han to the Qing dynasties.
  • The Silk Road and the international status of ceramics, precious metals, paper making and printing.
  • The golden age of the Song dynasty: ceramics, painting, calligraphy, lacquer and sculpture and the reinvention of the past.
  • Liao and Yuan artistic production under foreign rule.
  • The rise of Jingdezhen, China’s major porcelain centre.
  • The reestablishment of Chinese rule under the Ming dynasty and its artistic expression.
  • Imperial patronage of court and religious art, imperial academies and ateliers.
  • Exchange between China and the West and the export arts of China.
  • The efflorescence of the arts during the reigns of the three great Qing emperors.
  • Modern and contemporary art and society.

Course Components

  • Core lecture series 8000 BC – present: underpins all components of the programme.
  • Study Trips: regular visits to UK museums and sites throughout the year are included in the basic fee. Students can opt to join the two international Study Trips, one to China, held each year for an additional fee.
  • Object-Based Study: students are given access to the public and commercial art worlds through regular visits to exhibitions, public and private galleries and auction previews.
  • Curatorial Studies: students are introduced to issues of display of art works in lectures and visits to public and private collections.
  • Journal: an opportunity for students who have opted in to assessed work, to create a yearbook of their experiences during the course based around the artworks they have studied. Students are invited to present their journal to the rest of the members of their programme at the end of the year.

Entry Requirements

Students must be over 21. There are no formal qualifications required to participate on this course but all students are interviewed to ensure that the course is appropriate for them.

Before you apply...

Not sure if this course is for you? Why not get a taste of the Part-time Arts of China course by enrolling in our 3-day short course 'Exploring the Arts of China' from 15-17 February 2012. More info here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Christie's Part-time Course

Course Dates

Term 1

Thursday 27 September 2012
– Friday 07 December 2012

Term 2

Monday 07 January 2013
– Friday 15 March 2013

Term 3

Monday 22 April 2013
– Friday 28 June 2013

Course Fees

The Christie's Part-Time Course: £8,800
With Certificate: £10,000

International Study Trips Fee: £3,000

Course Leader

Nixi Cura

Apply now

To apply for this course click here.