Description
Book SynopsisThe Song dynasty (960-1279) ruled China to unrivalled intellectual, socio-economic, scientific, and urban advances. Dealing with the art of imperial women in China, this title focuses on the critical role emperors' wives played as patrons, collectors, taste-makers, and artists during the three-century Song dynasty.
Trade Review"Lee's writing is eloquent, persuasive, and at times wickedly funny . . . Her impressive study should start a tradition itself, catalyzing further research into the intersection of gender and Chinese art."
-- De-non L. Lee * China Review International *
"A major contribution to the fields of Chinese art history and women's studies. . . . [A] wealth of information . . . and . . . astute analysis of often-marginalized works of art . . ."
-- Lara C. W. Blanchard * Journal of Asian Studies *
"A fascinating discussion of Chinese huiwen, texts that can be read forwards and backwards but that spell out different messages-often even more than two."
* Art History Newsletter *
"Groundbreaking in scope and fascinating to read, this well-illustrated volume fills a gap in knowledge of art, women, history, and culture in Song (960-1279) China…. Pioneering in its study of the empresses' cultural influence and of the artistic modalities of the Song dynasty, and in the light it sheds on the world of imperial female power, this volume will provoke further study. Highly recommended."
* Choice *
