Required works: AP art history

Overview Guide: South, East, and Southeast Asia

300 B.C.E.–1980 C.E.

A brief history of the cultures of Asia

A brief history of the cultures of Asia

By Dr. Sonia Coman

An introduction to the diverse cultures of Asia and their intersecting histories

Hinduism and Buddhism, an introduction

Hinduism and Buddhism, an introduction

By Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Origins of Hinduism Unlike Christianity or Buddhism, Hinduism did not develop from the teachings of a single founder. Moreover, it has diverse traditions, owing to its long history and continued development over the course of more than 3000 years. The term Hindu...

Geographic regions of South Asia

Geographic regions of South Asia

By Dr. Cristin McKnight Sethi

Understanding geography is particularly important for the study of art of South Asia.

Beliefs made visible: Buddhist art in South Asia

Beliefs made visible: Buddhist art in South Asia

By Asian Art Museum

Buddhism thrived in India for over a thousand years. Discover important sites in the life of the Buddha.

Buddhist monasteries

Buddhist monasteries

By Dr. Karen Shelby

From simple assembly halls to expansive rock caves, buildings for Buddhist monks grew in complexity over time.

Imperial China, an introduction

Imperial China, an introduction

By The British Museum

Imperial China held the arts in high esteem. Poetry, calligraphy, and painting were known as the Three Perfections.

Qin dynasty, an introduction

Qin dynasty (c. 221–206 B.C.E.), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

The state of Qin was China’s first unified state whose power was centralized instead of spread among different kingdoms in the north and south.

Han dynasty, an introduction

Han dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

The Han dynasty was a pivotal period in the history of China—many foundations were laid for enduring aspects of Chinese society.

Period of Division, an introduction

Period of Division (220–589 C.E.), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

The Period of Division (220–589) witnessed a flourishing of culture, ideas, and art comparable to that of the European Renaissance.

Tang dynasty, an introduction

Tang dynasty (618–907), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

The Tang dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history.

Introduction to the Nara period, Japan

Nara period, an introduction

By Dr. Sonia Coman

In Japan, the lavish Tang style was intertwined with Buddhist devotional art during the Nara period.

Hindu temples

By Asian Art Museum

Often covered with figural sculpture, these dwelling places of the gods draw worshipers to their inner sanctuaries.

Song dynasty, an introduction

Song dynasty (960–1279), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

Overall, the Song dynasty was a time of stability and economic, cultural, and artistic prosperity.

Chinese calligraphy, an introduction

Chinese calligraphy, an introduction

By Dr. Xiaohan Du

Calligraphy is the world’s oldest abstract art—learn about the five major script types used today in China

Chinese landscape painting

Chinese landscape painting

By The British Museum

From mountain-shaped incense burners to paradisiacal Buddhist paintings, landscapes are central to Chinese art.

Introduction to the Kamakura period, Japan

Kamakura period, an introduction

By Dr. Sonia Coman

During the Kamakura period, the confluence or syncretism of Buddhism and the indigenous Shintō deepened.

Yuan dynasty, an introduction

Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

Despite the short duration of the Yuan dynasty, it was an extremely vital period in the arts.

Chinese porcelain

Chinese porcelain: decoration

By The British Museum

Not all Chinese porcelain is blue and white. Overglaze enamels add touches of pink, green, yellow, and black.

Ming dynasty, an introduction

Ming dynasty (1368–1644), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

The Ming dynasty’s almost three hundred-year span witnessed unprecedented economic and cultural expansion and the near doubling of its population.

Introduction to the Nanbokuchō and Muromachi periods, Japan

Nanbokuchō and Muromachi periods, an introduction

By Dr. Sonia Coman

Art coming from contemporaneous Ming-dynasty China as well older Chinese art deeply influenced Japanese arts, especially the emerging local tradition of ink landscape painting.

A brief history of the arts of Japan: the Edo period

A brief history of the arts of Japan: the Edo period

By Dr. Sonia Coman

Learn about floating worlds and the art of the literati from Japan's Edo period.

Modern China, an introduction

Modern China (1912–present), an introduction

By National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

From the end of the twentieth century to today, rapid improvements in the economy, increasing globalization, and growing status as a major political and military power have continued to significantly alter life, including in the cultural sphere, ensuring China’s place in the contemporary art field.