The Cham of Vietnam Were Special in Their Early Days
February 9, 2024
Early Cham art was vibrant–full of lively people and vegetal forms. But it was also exquisitely tasteful. It’s hard to be first rate at both, but
The Cham; A Great but Little-known Culture in Vietnam
February 9, 2024
They built a civilization that lasted longer than ancient Rome did. They defeated the mighty Khmers and ruled Angkor shortly after Angkor Wat was built.
What Wat? How Was Angkor Wat Created?
February 9, 2024
We left the Khmers at their graceful old Chenla capital of Ishanapura, but their kings took some giant steps between the handsome Chenla temples and
Deep Roots of Angkor Wat; Cambodian Origins in the Chenla Culture
February 8, 2024
More roots of Angkor Wat grew in northern Cambodia. Around 500 CE, communities there built a kingdom, or a network of independent cities, called the
A Uniquely Chinese Concept of Power and Virtue
February 8, 2024
The concept de had a wide range of meanings in ancient China, which together encouraged assumptions of a highly resonant universe which was conducive to
Limitless Cultural Depth in Chinese Roofs
February 7, 2024
You can see a lot of intellectual depth in traditional Chinese architecture. It’s one of the world’s most prevalent art forms, so it’s easy
Ancient China’s Unique Concept of Wind
February 7, 2024
Many traditional cultures structure their thought around the four cardinal directions. Ancient China did too, but it added ideas to this perspective and created a blend
Limitless Cultural Depth in a Temple in Yunnan, China
February 5, 2024
A temple a little north of Dali Old Town, Yunnan immersed me in China from imperial times. I walked through its village’s narrow streets
Romanesque Style against Itself
February 4, 2024
What could be more perfect than Romanesque style’s simple geometrical order? The Romanesque arches rising towards the heavens at Saint Trophime in Arles, France (above) gave the
Romanesque Style; One of Medieval Europe’s Greatest Glories
February 4, 2024
Romanesque style deserves more attention than it gets. Gothic style gets top billing among medieval buffs. But appreciate Romanesque cathedrals on their terms, and they’ll