Imitation and Reference in China's Pictorial Tradition (original) (raw)

This paper explores the relationship between imitation, reference, and canon formation in China's pictorial tradition, contrasting it with European practices. It examines how the roles assigned to the past in Chinese artistic discourses develop alongside the evolution of the art market, questioning reductive interpretations of cultural differences between East and West. Through comparative analysis, the paper reveals the complexities of classicism in both traditions and emphasizes the importance of asserting authorial agency within the constraints of the classical norm.