Art

Art during the time of the Qing was an important and much valued part of culture.  Chinese art can be broken down into three main groups of artists: the individualists, these artists were loyal to the Ming dynasty and used the styles of the Ming in their work; the traditionalists, or those who devoted their lives to keeping the traditions of earlier China alive throught their art; and finally members of the Qing royal court who often painted decorative works for the reigning emperor.

A famous Bada Shanren painting, titled "Flower in Jar"

The group of artists known as the Individualists often removed themselves from society completely, becoming buddist monks.  These people hung on to the traditons of the fallen Ming dyansty, and painted in ways that clearly expressed their sadness over the loss of the Ming.  Included in this group of painters was a man named Bada Shanren.  Bada was one of the more famous individualists of the time and his works were those of one trying to express himself through his profession.  His paintings were often sloppy and twisted and one could guess that his pieces reflected those of a man who was not fully stable.

The other group of artists devoted to the ways of the past were the traditionalists.  Instead of being devoted to the previous dynasty though, the traditionalists were devoted to the traditions further removed from their present.  They often used the styles of the 17th century and even years previous to that.  The traditionalists, or the Orthodox School, were highly educated by orthodox masters and created albums of paintings to show their mastery over a variety of  past styles.

The final group of artists that were widely known were the painters of the Emperor's Royal Court.  These painters were skilled in creating beautifully detailed works that often incorparated the styles of the fallen Song dynasty.  There were many rooms and spaces throughout the Imperial Palace devoted to the showing and viewing of these paintings.