Chinese culture along with its every component including art can be acclaimed as having its inimitable style and unparalleled spirit which can be hardly confused with anything else in the world. One of the most remarkable characteristics of Chinese culture and art is its homogeneousness during the whole period of their long history. Though Chinese culture can be characterized as one of the most ancient cultures on Earth it has undergone very few changes. The examples from several dynasties including architecture, paintings, and ceramics prove that this homogeneousness is the most specific characteristic of Chinese art.
Beginning from the Tang dynasty which is considered to be the first powerful dynasty in the territory of modern China the spirit of Chinese culture has acquired its main peculiarities. One of the most outstanding achievements of this dynasty for Chinese culture is in establishing its unique aristocratic canons. These aristocratic inclinations can be seen throughout the whole course of art; especially this ideology is embraced in magnificent architectural buildings and their luxurious and sophisticated inner design with its paintings and ceramic. One more critical feature of Chinese art which took its ancient roots during the dynasty of Tang is philosophic and religious overtones in art. This trace can be seen in architecture where all the buildings are organized in accordance to religious beliefs and canons concerning the establishment of the Universe by the Creator, and in paintings, figures, and ceramic which are inspired by the ideas of praising God as the almighty and ingenious creator of nature and its beauties. Thus, the ideas of Buddhism went very deep into the culture of Chinese people through the centuries. During the period of the Tang dynasty, the culture of Chinese people spread to vast territories from the Caspian Sea to Japan. The portentous achievements from this period in Chinese culture maintained their tendencies even in our modern-day times. After the centuries pass, the world is still amazed at Chinese fine ceramics (including celadon), magnificent architecture and philosophic, and elegant paintings.
During the next dynasties, the above-mentioned tendencies in the art of China continued to develop. The next notorious achievement can be related to the period of the Song dynasty. Of course, the dynasty of Yuan also has its significant achievements, but they are darkened by the influence of Mongolian invaders who are many times addressed as Barbarians depriving all the cultural values in the countries of their dominion. So, during the period of the Song dynasty, the flourishing of art has acquired its special development. Landscape painting can be named as the central peculiarity of this period. It is inspired by Taoism philosophic ideas and its contemplation of nature. Nature is approached from a special poetic point of view. This inimitable approach is still ascribed as one of the most outstanding achievements in world art. Perhaps, Fan Kuan’s Travelers amid Mountains and Streams can come to mind of every connoisseur of art when it is referred to the art of the Song dynasty period.
The next significant period in the history of Chinese art is the period of the Qing Dynasty which can be named the last one inspired by the imperial state system. During this period the values from the Ming dynasty are addressed in a new and more profound way. Thus, the furnishing of the Forbidden City is the main concern of this period.
In conclusion, the examples from several dynasties including architecture, paintings, and ceramics prove that unique homogeneousness in Chinese culture and art is its outstanding characteristic.