A STUDY OF CHINESE PAINTINGS IN THE COLLECTION OF ADA SMALL MOORE with SUPPLEMENT - A STUDY OF CHINESE PAINTINGS
194034751London: Oxford University Press 1940. First Edition. Illustrated with 56 collotype plates 48 concerning paintings and represented by 36 full-page monochrome plates 3 full-page color plates 7 manifold monochrome plates and 2 manifold color plates. The remaining plates are composed of 5 full-page plates of calligraphy and 3 full-page plates of seals. The multi-folding plates provide the opportunity to view an entire painted scroll or long painting. Title-page printed in red and black. 72 paintings from pre-T'ang times into the Ch'ing dynasty are discussed. Each painting is described and the translation of its seals and inscriptions provided. Large Folio 15.25" x 11.5" publisher's original green polished buckram cloth the spine lettered in gilt the upper cover with gilt decoration of a Chinese seal. xvi 279 plates pp. A fine copy especially clean and bright the binding very strong and showing virtually no wear though with the mark of a cup which at some time was placed on the upper cover. The Supplement is in fine condition as well. FIRST EDITION SCARCE. The Moore collection contains extraordinary illustrations from some of them most important painters and calligraphers in the long history of Chinese art. The subject matter of the book is traversed by the authors of the volume with scholarship and taste their text being accompanied by the fine illustrations most of them in monochrome and some in colour. The authors are full and illuminating in their descriptions their biographical and bibliographical contributions along with their treatment of the inscriptions and seals. The reason for bringing the inscriptions and seals into the foreground is because "calligraphy has long been considered a major art by the Chinese who frequently valued the inscription on a painting as highly or even more highly than the painting itself. A number of the scrolls depicted have inscriptions which certify their authenticity and are also the calligraphy of famous scholars. These contain many valuable comments on the technique of painting and statements of historical and biographical importance. The seals on the scrolls are not only works of art in themselves but are important as a record of the painting or as an expression of appreciation of it."<br> The painters represented come from various dynasties in their noblest estate painters eloquent of the great virtues of the school--a peculiar magic in the interpretation of nature felicity in composition and linear aspect. The plates provide well the Chinese ideas of beauty and style. R. Cortissoz Oxford University Press hardcover
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