The Beauty of Fan-Shaped Prints
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Summary
Editor's review
As an editor, I believe the core value of this book lies in its academic vision of "seeing the big from the small." Taking the fan surface—this small space—as an entry point, the author ingeniously connects the carving and printing techniques of printmaking, the careful selection of fan-rib materials, the literati charm of the images, and the social fashions behind them. The book's analysis of representative fan-faced printmaking works since the Ming and Qing dynasties is especially excellent: it not only attends to technical details such as composition, knife work and color registration, but also deeply interprets the subtle connections between image subjects and literati spirit and urban life, revealing how this "miniature art" carries grand cultural narratives.
In terms of reading experience, the book is richly illustrated and carefully arranged; high-quality images of original works let readers clearly perceive the strength of lines and the layers of color, as if handling these art treasures in person. The text combines academic rigor with readability, so that even non-specialist readers can follow the author's guidance and appreciate the refinement of traditional crafts and the elegant sentiments of ancient literati. Against the current background of traditional culture revival, this book is like an exquisite key, opening a new window for us to understand Chinese literati aesthetics and philosophy of life. It is not merely an art book, but a deep dialogue about craftsmanship, elegance and cultural inheritance.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Enthusiasts and researchers with a strong interest in traditional Chinese printmaking, fan art or craft art
- People engaged in art education, art design or cultural creative development who hope to draw inspiration from traditional art
- Collectors who enjoy collecting fine cultural objects and wish to improve their connoisseurship and aesthetic taste
- Readers interested in Ming-Qing social culture and the history of literati life who wish to understand history through the perspective of material culture
Not a good fit for
- Pure craft beginners expecting detailed, actionable step-by-step guides to printmaking or fan making
- Readers seeking light entertainment or fast-food cultural consumption
Reading tips
- It is suggested to first look through all the images in the book to form an intuitive impression of fan-faced printmaking, then read the text carefully.
- While reading, combine relevant knowledge of Chinese painting history and printmaking history to form a more systematic cognitive framework.
- For works or chapters of interest, try extended reading or consult relevant museum collection materials to deepen understanding.
About the publisher
Shantou University Press builds its publishing program on university textbooks, teaching reference books, and academic monographs, while also accumulating a body of literary and cultural titles. Its catalog shows a concentration on foreign and classical literary classics, including Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West, Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, and Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, covering categories such as world classics and canonical works. Its author resources include major Chinese and foreign writers such as Tolstoy, Hugo, Dickens, Cervantes, Fabre, and Li Yu. Books on parenting and social sciences also appear in its list. Drawing on the regional culture of Chaoshan, the press balances teaching and research with cultural popularization, and Chaoshan culture titles are one of its emphases. Given limited public information, other details are not addressed here.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 文前
- 古代扇子的产生及其沿革
- 杨修误点成蝇使书画入扇
- 唐宋时期盛行团扇上书画
- 明清时期风靡折扇上书画
- 王羲之题字兴起书法入扇
- 圆满盈实的团扇书法艺术
- 错落有序的折扇书法创意
- 各有其妙的名家扇面书法
FAQ
Is this book suitable for readers with no art background at all?
How clear and numerous are the images of fan-faced printmaking works in the book?
Does the book focus on art appreciation or historical verification?
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About the author
Sun Changfu, a native of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, graduated from Shanxi University of Finance and Economics and now teaches at Beijing Humanities University. Besides teaching, he has long been engaged in compiling popular-science and history-and-culture books. Thirty-four of his works are held in the collection, covering categories such as inspirational growth, popular science, culture, and agriculture and forestry. His writing turns knowledge into readable stories and themed features. Representative works include Humorous Short Stories, Safeguarding the Growth of Life, Choice Is So Firm, Amazing Little Creatures, Exploring with Columbus, How to Read Your Heart, and Startling Plant Secrets, and he has compiled such series as The Complete Book of China's Unsolved Mysteries, The Strange and Fascinating Animal World, The Vast and Beautiful Geography, and the series Gate of Exploration and Discovery and Glory of the Chinese Revival. Public information on his birth year, teachers, and awards is limited and hard to verify.
