Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 14: Spring Outing of the Tang Court

by Zhang Xuan

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the art region or artist.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Zhang Xuan's 'Spring Outing of the Tang Court' shows men and women of the Tang Court riding horses and enjoying the pleasant spring weather. 'Tang' refers to a Chinese dynasty, or line of hereditary Chinese rulers from long ago. One woman rides with a small child. This work incorporates shades of pinks and greens, perhaps reflecting the theme of spring. Chinese symbols decorate the background of the painting.

Vocabulary

Court: The establishment, retinue (group of advisers), and courtiers (companions to king or queen) of a sovereign.
Dynasty: A line of hereditary (passed from parent to child) rulers of a country.

Concepts

1. Chinese painter Zhang Xuan was born in 713 in China.
2. Zoom in and find Xuan's birth country of China on the map of East Asia below.

3. Xuan was an artist during the Chinese Tang Dynasty, which ruled between 618–907.
4. The Tang Dynasty was a golden age of advancement, stability, art, and poetry.
5. Xuan died in 755 at the age of 42.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Answer It?

Answer the following regarding the painting:

• How many horses are in the painting?
• How many people are in the painting?
• How many adult women are in the painting?
• How many adult men are in the painting?
• How many children are in the painting?

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the new words, point out any you see in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 23 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are members of the Tang court including a small child.

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The setting is somewhere outdoors in China.

2 / 4

Question 3

What season is occurring in the painting?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The season is spring.

3 / 4

Question 4

What does 'Tang' refer to?

4 / 4

Answer 4

'Tang' refers to a Chinese dynasty, or line of hereditary Chinese rulers from long ago.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are members of the Tang court including a small child.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is somewhere outdoors in China.
3. What season is occurring in the painting? The season is spring.
4. What does 'Tang' refer to? 'Tang' refers to a Chinese dynasty, or line of hereditary Chinese rulers from long ago.

References

'Zhang Xuan.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Tang dynasty.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.