Decadence Disrupted: Arguing Against a Decadence Model in Late Ming Painting History. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burnett, Katharine P.
• Is Part Of: Ming studies. Number 71(2015)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: decadence -- models of interpretation -- late Ming painting -- Wanli -- Jiajing -- strange -- eccentric -- historical fallacies -- causal relationships -- historiography -- Chinese art history -- originality; China -- History -- Ming dynasty, 1368-1644 -- Periodicals; China -- Civilization -- 960-1644 -- Periodicals; 951.02605
• DOI: 10.1179/0147037X15Z.00000000038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-037X

Abstract

Abstract : This essay offers an intervention to the field of Chinese art history, arguing that a decadence model has been tacitly operating in studies of late Ming painting, and that this model has clouded our understanding of this art. A possible source of the decadence model is explained, and a few of the terms resulting from its application are contemplated. A number of historical fallacies that have combined with the decadence model are identified, and are brought to bear in a cautionary note to beware of confusing cause for correlation.