Author: DITTRICH, EDITH
Title: Das Westzimmer: Hsi-Hsiang Chi. Chinesische Farbholzschitte Von Min Ch'i-Chi 1640 / the Romance of the Western Chamber Hsi-Hsiang Chi. Chinese Colour Woodcuts by Min Ch'i-Chi 1640
Description: Museum fur Ostasiatische Kunst der Stadt Koln. 1977, 1st Edition. Soft cover. Book, German and English text.; Hardcover (in slipcase with two clasps.).; 33 x 31 cm; 1.9 Kg; 87 pages with text plus 21 loose colour illustrations.; Used with signs of wear on the exterior and interior of the slipcase. One of the clasp is damaged and is currently tapped. The text and 21 leaves looks are in very good condition.; "The folder containing facsimile reproductions based on a series of Chinese coloured woodcuts accompanies the first of a series of monographs planned by the Museum fur Ostasiatische Kunst in Cologne to introduce important works on its collection. An attempt will be made, using text and illustrations, to give an exhaustive account of the subject and to provide the reader with sufficient information so that, starting from the work concerned as paradigm, he may acquire a wider understanding of East Asian art as a whole. The series of coloured woodcuts reproduced here in its entirety was published and certainly also created by Min Ch'i-chi in 1640. The album contains ingenious illustrations for one of the most famous Chinese short stories, Hsi-hsiang chi, The "Western Chamber", which was later expanded to make one of the most popular Chinese theater works. The series, datable by one of the leaves to the year 1640, is the earliest example of Chinese woodcuts in which the use of colours is not only linear but also in picturesque areas with fine shading. Our album was purchased in 1962 by Professor Werner Speiser from the renowned collection of A. Breuer, Berlin. So far, no second set has come to light, so that this Western Chambers series is one of the most important treasures not only in our Museum but in the whole field of extant Chinese prints. What makes the album doubly significant and interesting is the happy chance that is importance for the history of Chinese art is matched by its high artistic value and direct visual appeal. Faithful facsmile reproduction of this series was only possible thanks to the assistance given by the BASF Aktiengesellschaft in Ludwigshafen, which had already had a folder of the same prints made in 1975 as a gift for clients and business associates. We must also acknowledge our debt to the stafs of the Oriental Departament of the Staatsbibliohek, Preubischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin, the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and the University Library, Munich, for making available rare related literature, as well as the East Asian seminar at the University of Cologne and in particular Dr. Walter Fuchs, emeritus professor, who provided valuable pointers for our work on this folder.". Very Good/No Jacket.

Keywords: china,chinese colour prints Chinese Art Collections and exhibitions


See more books from our catalog: Asian Art