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China's First Emperor: Terracotta Warriors, Taoism, and Worship with Jayne Yantz

China's First Emperor: Terracotta Warriors, Taoism, and Worship with Jayne Yantz


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Just who was China’s First Emperor? This seminar will explain exactly that as together we explore religion and philosophy to understand the First Emperor of China. We’ll also take time to discuss his magnificent terracotta army—8000+ life-size terracotta figures that tell the story of ancient ancestor worship and Taoist visions of immortality.

China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuang was an amazing man—he unified China, pieced together portions of the Great Wall, and constructed one of the world’s largest works of sculpture, his imposing terracotta army. But why? This seminar will look at the man himself, examine his reputation for brutality, question what he really believed, and see how those beliefs are made visible in his clay army.

We will explore traditional Chinese ancestor veneration, Confucianism, and Taoism and apply these ideas to the life and death of the First Emperor. Additionally, we will investigate the terracotta figures as works of art—how they were made, what they originally looked like, and what is specifically Chinese about the manufacture of these objects. We will find more clues in other even more beautiful works of art buried near the monumental tomb of the First Emperor—there is much more to the First Emperor’s burial site than the terra cotta army. Then, of course, there is also the mystery of what lies hidden inside the unexcavated tomb of the First Emperor.

Led by art historian Jayne Yantz, an instructor of non-Western art who has taken students to visit the site of the First Emperor’s tomb, this interactive seminar provides participants with an appreciation of Chinese religion and art, and an understanding of East Asian openness to multiple beliefs systems. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased awareness of the power of religion to inform art and politics.

Jayne Yantz completed graduate work in art history and anthropology before beginning a career in college teaching. She specializes in non-Western art and European Old Masters, has traveled extensively to see the works of art she teaches, and believes it is important to continue learning throughout life. Jayne has received continued recognition for teaching excellence, including the Teacher of the Year award from her college. She currently lives in the New Jersey Pinelands on a nature preserve.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 8 reviews
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(8)
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L
L.H. (Lafayette, US)
Wonderful presentation!

Really top notch! Professional, comprehensive, full of information, great visuals! I lived in China for 5 years, and wish I could revisit the terracotta warriors with the knowledge that I gained from this talk.

K
K.E. (Leonberg, DE)
Insight into the Influence of China's First Emperor

Jayne Yantz provided a an enlightening and detail-rich view into the influence of China's first emperor with special emphasis on the burial complex which he commissioned for himself beginning early in his reign. A central focus of the burial complex is the intriguing army of world-renowned terracotta warriors.

J
J. (Doylestown, US)
Interesting and informative seminar

I have always wanted to learn more about the Terra-cotta Warriors so I really enjoyed this seminar. Jayne had so much information to offer us and she infuses it with her enthusiasm for the subject. Highly recommend!

C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
Incredibly informative and interesting.

This was an incredibly informative and interesting tour. I have never visited this region and it was wonderful to hear about the first emperor, his tomb, the terra-cotta army, and all the other things that Dr. Yantz went into in great detail and with follow up resources. Of all the Context tours I have done, this one is an absolute must.

M
M.L. (Ramat Gan, IL)
China's First Emperor: The terracotta warriors

It was a fascinating lecture from beginning to end, it could have gone on for hours. Jayne is an excellent lecturer, well organized, greatly knowledgeable and with very clear diction. I look forward to more of her enlightening talks.

Customer Reviews

Based on 8 reviews
100%
(8)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
L.H. (Lafayette, US)
Wonderful presentation!

Really top notch! Professional, comprehensive, full of information, great visuals! I lived in China for 5 years, and wish I could revisit the terracotta warriors with the knowledge that I gained from this talk.

K
K.E. (Leonberg, DE)
Insight into the Influence of China's First Emperor

Jayne Yantz provided a an enlightening and detail-rich view into the influence of China's first emperor with special emphasis on the burial complex which he commissioned for himself beginning early in his reign. A central focus of the burial complex is the intriguing army of world-renowned terracotta warriors.

J
J. (Doylestown, US)
Interesting and informative seminar

I have always wanted to learn more about the Terra-cotta Warriors so I really enjoyed this seminar. Jayne had so much information to offer us and she infuses it with her enthusiasm for the subject. Highly recommend!

C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
Incredibly informative and interesting.

This was an incredibly informative and interesting tour. I have never visited this region and it was wonderful to hear about the first emperor, his tomb, the terra-cotta army, and all the other things that Dr. Yantz went into in great detail and with follow up resources. Of all the Context tours I have done, this one is an absolute must.

M
M.L. (Ramat Gan, IL)
China's First Emperor: The terracotta warriors

It was a fascinating lecture from beginning to end, it could have gone on for hours. Jayne is an excellent lecturer, well organized, greatly knowledgeable and with very clear diction. I look forward to more of her enlightening talks.