Contemplating the Ancients: Aesthetic and Social Issues in Early Chinese Portraiture delves into the intriguing world of ancient Chinese art, exploring portraits that transcend physical likeness to embody deeper societal and aesthetic values. Focusing on the iconic composition of the Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove and Rong Qiqi, the book examines why fourth-century patrons sought to be buried with depictions of men from a century earlier. Through this lens, it reveals the remarkable ability of artists to transform profound ideas into enduring visual masterpieces, reflecting the cultural and historical context of their time. Perfect for art historians and cultural enthusiasts, this richly detailed study offers a fresh appreciation of how early Chinese portraiture captured the essence of its subjects, blending artistic brilliance with timeless societal narratives.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1990.