Chinese Art History Dynasties Quiz

Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove is attributed to Gu Kaizhi, a key figure of early Chinese figure painting. He is known for expressive line work and moral storytelling. Other artists listed belong to later dynasties or different painting traditions, making them historically incorrect for this work.

Gu Kaizhi is traditionally credited with Admonitions of the Instructress to Palace Ladies. Although the existing scroll is a later copy, its style and literary source align with Gu’s Eastern Jin period techniques and values. Western artists listed lived centuries later and are unrelated.

The work is a handscroll, designed to be viewed sequentially from right to left. This format supports narrative storytelling and intimate engagement, unlike hanging scrolls or murals, which are static and meant for distant viewing.

The painting is dated to the 5th century, aligning with Gu Kaizhi’s lifetime during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Later centuries correspond to different artistic movements and stylistic developments.

Nymph of the Luo River is another narrative handscroll attributed to Gu Kaizhi. It visualizes a poetic text through rhythmic figures and flowing lines, consistent with Gu’s style. The other works belong to landscape traditions of later periods.

The painting centers on moral instruction for court women, illustrating Confucian virtues such as restraint, humility, and loyalty. This narrative purpose distinguishes it from landscapes or religious art.

Gu Kaizhi is attributed to Nymph of the Luo River based on stylistic continuity and textual sources. Other artists listed worked in later dynasties and different genres.

Gu Kaizhi lived during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, a formative period for Chinese figure painting. Tang and Song artists developed different stylistic priorities.

Yan Zhenqing was a master of regular script calligraphy during the Tang Dynasty. His style emphasized strength and moral integrity, aligning with Confucian ideals of the era.

The bowl is made of gilt silver, indicating luxury craftsmanship of the Tang court. Other materials listed correspond to later or unrelated periods.

Animal and arabesque motifs reflect Tang dynasty cosmopolitanism, influenced by Central Asian and Persian decorative traditions.

Camels were frequently depicted due to their importance in Silk Road trade, symbolizing wealth and cultural exchange during the Tang dynasty.

Tang sancai pottery was primarily used for tomb burial, intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife rather than daily use.

The Silk Road influenced Tang art by introducing foreign animals, motifs, and luxury materials into Chinese visual culture.

Tang three-color pottery uses lead-based sancai glaze, producing green, amber, and cream tones through kiln firing chemistry.

The Eastern Jin period produced some of the earliest narrative handscrolls, focusing on moral storytelling through linear figure painting.

Early Chinese figure painting emphasizes expressive line work over shading or perspective, reflecting calligraphic traditions.