Introduction
Art serves as an integral part of society due to not only its impact on the present and future but an ability to convey the messages, values, and ideas of the past. Many forms of art are considered masterpieces, ranging from paintings to sculptures. Each culture has specific preferred art forms and the ones that it is known for.
Main Body
For example, China is renowned for its rich sculpture and pottery collections made of bronze and gold. The vessel titled “Lidded ritual wine container (zun) in the form of a bird” is among such instances. The vessel was made of bronze with gold inlay in ca. 5th century BCE (National Museum of Asian Art, n.d.). The stylistic period of the piece is connected to early imperial China (National Museum of Asian Art, n.d.). Although the author of the art piece is unknown, the geography of the vessel is precise, and according to the museum’s description of the work, it was found in Shanxi province, China (National Museum of Asian Art, n.d.). While looking like a simplistic vessel in the shape of a dove, the sculpture is a masterpiece that represents a harmonious representation of Chinese history through complex symbolic elements.
On a macro level, when observing the vessel in Figure 1, one can see that it is relatively small. According to the museum, the dimensions of the piece are 26.5 x 13.5 x 20 cm in height, width, and depth, respectively (National Museum of Asian Art, n.d.). As for the techniques applied to create the vessel, bronze casting is the first evident technique. Each element of the masterpiece is precise, and gold inlay adds richness and texture. Such approaches make the composition complete and harmonious, resulting in the work with balance. In terms of structural form and composition, the sculpture follows the form of a bird, with an elongated neck and fuller body and legs that ensure stability and sturdiness.
Moreover, it is crucial to see how the parts of the work are carefully arranged and have a specific explanation to support the artist’s techniques. When reviewing the work, one can see that each part, including the head, legs, and wings, is closely connected to make a whole. The only part of the piece that separates it from the rest is the lidded container. The container that makes the piece a vessel is carefully placed on the back of the bird to make the artwork look aesthetical while keeping its functional purpose. After observing the vessel from all angles, it becomes evident that there are several focal points. For example, the first focal point is the artwork’s shape, which is a bird. The curves and intricate details of the dove draw the attention of every observer. Another focal point of the work is its lidded container, which, placed in the back, serves as a reminder of the vessel’s ritualistic function.
Moving further, when interpreting the work, it is crucial to first focus on the subject matter and its overall meaning. In this situation, the sculpture represents a lidded ritual wine container in the shape of a dove used in ancient Chinese rituals. When focusing on the style of the artwork, one might notice that instead of relying on naturalistic depictions of the dove, the artist incorporates symbolism into the work. Additionally, the shapes and elements in the work refer to the application of symbolic and abstract styles. The incorporation of many abstract details and the overall composition can make the work seem simplistic. Yet, at the same time, when looking closer, one can observe the intricacies of the patterns, which are common for ancient art pieces.
As for the visual effects on the audience, their impact is immense and has a strong influence on the audience. The scale and size of the art piece have affected my response since, while looking at the picture of the work, it seems large, while in reality, it is quite small and intimate in nature. My overall emotional response to the sculpture is admiration and inspiration. In other words, the work appealed to me due to its history, style, approaches, and elements. The physical environment in which the work is placed also affects the response since the museum displays the piece in a darker atmosphere, which would balance the work’s appearance.
Conclusion
This work is a masterpiece since the artist made a great effort to combine the complex elements and make the vessel look whole and harmonious. Speaking of the artist’s efforts, the attention to detail is the evidence of craftsmanship and technical execution of the sculpture, which affected my response to the work. After reviewing the background of the piece and its techniques, style, and approaches, I became more interested in such artwork. Overall, the artist controls how the audience responds to the work through materials, composition, and visual elements, which focus not only on the historical and cultural significance of the piece but also its beauty.
Reference
National Museum of Asian Art. (n.d.). Lidded ritual wine container (zun) in the form of a bird[Sculpture]. Web.
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