Tan Danjiong’s Wartime Folk Handicraft Investigation And His Art History View History

Tan Danjiong is an important art historian in the development of modern Chinese art history in the 20 th century.His research and achievements have improved the historical aspect of the ethnic handicraft industry in Southwest China,and promoted the development of Chinese modern art history and Chinese arts and crafts history.Tan Danjiong studied painting in France.During this period,he developed the idea of studying traditional Chinese art.After returning to China,he taught at the Peiping Art School and Sichuan Art School,but due to the turbulent situation and personnel changes,there was no stable day for his research and writing.It was not until he joined the Preparatory Office of the Central Museum and presided over the investigation of the old handicraft industry in Sichuan that there was a stable environment for him to concentrate on his research.In 1949,Tan Danjiong moved to Taiwan with the Preparatory Office of the Central Museum.Previously,the investigation of the old handicraft industry in Sichuan could not be continued due to the lapse of time between the two places,so he turned to the study of cultural relics.During his more than 40 years in Taiwan,he published several important historical works,which enriched the research results of Chinese art history.However,little is known about its academic history,research methods and historical contributions.In view of this,this paper selects the investigation of old handicrafts in Sichuan presided over by Tan Danjiong during the Anti-Japanese War as the starting point.Through the analysis of the background,practice and methods of the archaeological activities in Lizhuang of the Preparatory Office of the Central Museum,it discusses Tan Danjiong’s role in the archaeological activities.A part of his art history concept was influenced by the academic research trend at that time.Secondly,by sorting out the historical facts such as the cause,process and research results of the Sichuan handicraft investigation conducted by Tan Danjiong,it analyzes the understanding formed during the field investigation and the value of the academic achievements of this investigation.Finally,briefly summarize Tan Danjiong’s changes in art history research after he went to Taiwan.By comparing his later academic research results,he summarizes the characteristics of his view of art history,and discusses Tan Danjiong’s academic contributions to Chinese art history.