1、A SHORT HISTORY OF WESTERN PAINTINGWhat is Western art? _1_ is hard to give a precise definition. As there have been so many different styles of Western art, _2_ is impossible to describe them all in a short text. Perhaps the best way to understand Western art is _3_ _(look) at the development of We
2、stern painting over the centuries. The Middle Ages (from the 5th to the 15th century) During the Middle Ages, the purpose of Western art was _4_(teach) people about Christianity. Thus, artists were not interested in painting realistic scenes. Their works were often primitive and two-dimensional, and
3、 the main characters were often made much larger than everyone else to show their _5_(important). This began to change in the 13th century with Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337). _6_ his paintings still had religious themes, they showed real people in a real environment. In particular, his paintings _7_
4、(set) apart from other paintings by their realistic human faces and deep _8_(emotion) impact.The Renaissance (from the 14th to the 17th century)New ideas and values gradually replaced old _9_(one) from the Middle Ages. As a result, painters concentrated less on religious themes. They began to adopt
5、a more humanistic attitude _10_ life. _11_ important breakthrough during this period was the use of perspective by Masaccio (1401-1428). Influential painters such as Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Michelangelo (1475-1564), and Raphael (1483-1520) built upon Giotto and Masaccios innovations _12_(prod
6、uce) some of the greatest art that Europe had ever seen. Another innovation was the use of oil paints. _13_ their deep colours and realism, some of the best oil paintings look like photographs. _14_ painters as early as Da Vinci had used oil, this technique reached its _15_(high) with Rembrandt (160
7、6-1669), who gained a reputation _16_ a master of shadow and light. In subject matter, the emphasis increasingly shifted from religious themes _17_ people and the world around us. Kings, nobles, and people _18_ high rank wanted to purchase accurate pictures of _19_(them) and the people they loved. O
8、thers wanted paintings showing important historical events or stories from mythology. Finally, most clients wanted paintings that were beautiful and interesting to look at. Impressionism (late 19th to early 20th century)The development of Western art slowed _20_ the invention of photography in the m
9、id-19th century. After that, paintings were no longer needed to preserve _21_ people and the world looked like. Hence, painters had to find a new way _22_ looking at their art. From this, Impressionism _23_(emerge) in France. The name of this new movement came from the painting by Claude Monet (1840
10、-1926) _24_(call) Impression, Sunrise. In this work, Monets aim was _25_(convey) the light and movement in the scene - the subjective impression the scene gave him - _26_ not a detailed record of the scene _27_(it). _28_ many Impressionists painted scenes of nature or daily life, others, such as Ren
11、oir (1841-1919), focused on people. Unlike the cold, black-and-white photographs of that time period, Renoirs paintings are full of light, shadow, colour, and life. He _29_(seek) to show not just the outer image of his subjects, _30_ their inner warmth and humanity as well.Modern Art (from the 20th
12、century to today)After Impressionism, subsequent artists began to ask, What do we do next? Painters such as Picasso (1881-1973) tried to analyse the shapes which existed in the natural world _31_ in a new way, with Cubism. Others gave their paintings a realistic but dream-like quality. Still others
13、turned to abstract art. _32_ they attempted to do was no longer show reality, but instead to ask the question, What is art?ANCIENT CHINESE ART ON SHOWThe Richfield Museum of Fine Art is _1_(pride) to present our new exhibition, From Shang to Qing: Chinese Art Through the Ages. Join us as we explore
14、more than 3,000 years of wonderful art from the Middle Kingdom. From bronze bowls to ceramic vases, and jade sculptures _2_ ink wash paintings, our goal is _3_(display) the Chinese artistic genius from ancient times. The highlight of this exhibition is the painting Clearing After Snow on a Mountain
15、Pass, one of the great works of Tang Yin (1470-1524). Born during the Ming Dynasty, Tang sought and failed to gain entry _4_ the civil service, so he turned to painting instead. In time, he gained _5_(recognize) as one of the greatest artists China has ever known. This painting, showing high mountai
16、ns, trees, and houses _6_(cover) in snow, was made with extraordinary skill. _7_ it is over 500 years old, it looks _8_ fresh and full of life as the day it was created. Also of primary note is a collection _9_ nearly 100 bronze objects from the Shang Dynasty (1600 BCE-1046 BCE). _10_ the artists wh
17、o made these great works are not known, they showed great skill _11_ creating these beautiful pieces. Some of the items on display are thought to have come from the collection of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), a great _12_(admire) of Shang Dynasty bronze. Finally, we have many fine examples of Tang D
18、ynasty (618-907) sculptures. Most of these are of Buddhist origin. Even though Buddhism entered China much _13_(early), it did not really begin to show _14_(expand) until the seventh century. During this same period, trade along the Silk Road also boomed. Chinese sculpture thus found _15_(it) highly
19、 influenced by Buddhist art _16_(bring) from India and Central Asia through the Silk Road. These works were intended to spread Buddhism and they are _17_ exceptional beauty and quality. Looking at the faces of the figures in these sculptures, one sees the faces of the past. History _18_(bring) to li
20、fe.This is just a small taste _19_ what is in store for you in this exhibition. We guarantee that From Shang to Qing: Chinese Art Through the Ages will transport you to another time _20_ its amazing collection of works. From Shang to Qing: Chinese Art Through the Ages will run until November 25. Ope
21、ning hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday (the museum is closed on Mondays). No one _21_(admit) into the exhibition after 4:30 p.m. Admission: $10 for adults; $8 for students; $5 for children under 12; free _22_ children under 5. No photos or food and drink _23_(allow) in the museum. 4 / 4
