The Underground Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang
Photograph album edited by Fu Tianchou, introduction by Sidney Shapiro, text by Fu Tianchou, photographs by Weng Naiqiang, Wang Lu, Wang Jingren, Li Xing, Wang Tianyu and others, maps and illustrations by Yin Zinan and others
Published by New World Press, 1996
Paperback, dimension 2520 mm x 2500 mm, 10" x 9.10", 115 pages
ISBN 7800050092
The discovery of the terracotta army buried near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first unifier of China, is regarded as one of the most spectacular archaeological finds of the 20th century. Created 2,200 years ago as an imperial guard to serve the emperor in his afterlife, these thousands of life-size warrior and horse figures equipped with chariots and bronze weapons, bear witness to the military might of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), and give the world a rare peek into the distant past. Discovered in 1974 and opened to the public in 1979, this ancient site is now one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world.
The present volume, compiled and edited by the distinguished Chinese sculptor and art critic, Professor Fu Tianchou, offers the reader, in both words and pictures, a comprehensive introduction to this ancient monumental group sculpture. The introductory essay by Sidney Shapiro, a renowned translator of classical Chinese literature, gives essential background information about Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the excavation of his tomb figures. The main essay, written by Professor Fu Tianchou, presents a detailed and illuminating study of the artistic aspects of the terracotta army and explores the richness and splendor of Qin sculptural art. Professor Fu also makes a thought-provoking comparison between the terracotta warriors and the stone gods of ancient Greece. A more notable feature of the book is its unique collection of photographs, which provides full pictorial documentation of the underground terracotta army. With his "sculptor's eye," Professor Fu has selected these pictures and personally supervised much of the photography, thus ensuring both accuracy of depiction and visual beauty.
The underground Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang makes fascinating reading for both the general reader and the student of sculptural art. This album is a permanent record of one of the most enthralling treasures of ancient Chinese art.
Contents
ForewordThe First Emperor of China and His Tomb Figures by Sidney Shapiro
The Art of the Terracotta Warrior and Horse Figures by Fu Tianchou
Photographs
- The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the Excavation of the Terracotta Warrior and Horse Figure Pits
- The Exhibition Hall and Pit No. 1
- Terracotta Warrior Figures
- Terracotta Horses and Charioteers
- Bronze Warrior and Horse Figures
