Chinese Late Modern Decorated Letter Paper Research,1898-1958

This paper will combine information from late modern woodblock decorated letter-paper, envelopes, and related documents to develop its argument. The evolution of the decorated letter-paper between 1898’s Hundred Days Reform and 1958’s "Beijing Decorated Letter-paper Albums," represents a specific historic period which is distinct in its use of paper material, dyeing methods, subject matter, production techniques, and other aspects. This uniqueness creates a time period that is different in craft production, as well as having localized artistic styles and notations that reflect literati aesthetic taste.The thesis will be divided into 4 chapters:Chapters 1 and 2 organize late modern decorated letter-paper according to chronological history and locality, as well as describing each period’s color painting styles and local specialties in detail. Through analysis of historical context and environment these chapters will strive to show the true aesthetic characteristics produced by this period. Chapter 3 explores how the material, form, colors, and other properties of literati designed letter-paper reflect their taste. Chapter 4 presents a survey of woodblock decorated letter-paper placed in the larger environment of cultural spaces, with a focus on this period’s build up of cultural spaces functioning as places of appreciation for these kinds of stationery.