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How did calligraphy become one of the highest-ranking visual arts in China?
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Chinese art
A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Since the 3rd century CE, calligraphy has been regarded as the supreme visual art in China. Its high status is rooted in several key factors:12
- Spiritual and Personal Expression: Calligraphy is viewed as a unique reflection of the writerās character, cultivation, and spiritual attunement. Because it requires immense skill and aesthetic sensitivity, it is considered a medium for expressing the inner life of the artist rather than merely demonstrating professional technique.13
- Connection to Scholarship: As the literati class emerged, calligraphy became an essential pursuit for the educated elite. Mastery of the brush was a mark of a gentleman and a scholar, helping to establish one's status within social networks.4
- Imperial Influence: During the Tang dynasty, the civil service examination required candidates to write in a refined regular style (kaishu), cementing the art form's importance in government and public life.2
- Foundational Aesthetic: Calligraphy sets the standard for Chinese painting, as both share the same toolsābrush, ink, and paperāand prioritize the rhythmic movement of the line.12