Wei

  1. Home
  2. top of the aat hierarchies
  3. Styles and Periods Facet
  4. Styles and Periods (hierarchy name)
  5. [styles, periods, and cultures by region]
  6. Asian
  7. East Asian
  8. Chinese (culture or style)
  9. Chinese dynastic styles and periods
  10. Southern and Northern Dynasties
  11. Northern Dynasties
  12. Wei
Scope note
Refers to the culture, style, and period associated with the northern Chinese dynasty dating 386 to 556 CE, founded by the Tuoba people. The Wei dynasty succeeded the series of Sixteen Kingdoms (310-439) that ruled northern China after the collapse of the unifying Western Jin dynasty. The Northern Wei dynasty, ruled from 386 to 534 and succeeded in reunifying the north. Frontier areas revolted in 534 and the Northern Wei was succeeded by the two overlapping states of Eastern Wei (534-550) and Western Wei (535-556). Although a time of geographic division, China benefited from foreign influences and Wei institutions such as land reform, taxation, and militia systems were further developed by later Chinese dynasties. Buddhism was widely adopted during the Wei period and it quickly became the main inspiration for figurative art. The Wei rulers were great patrons of Buddhist art, commissioning vast rock-cut temples decorated with sculpture and painting at Yungang, Longmen, Mt. Maiji and Dunhuang. Although mostly melted down, many Buddhist bronze sculptures were produced. Landscape painting became more important, as seen on carved stone sarcophagi and in wall paintings.
Wei
Accepted term: 29-Apr-2024