Enchanted by Lohans: Osvald Sirén's Journey Into Chinese Art

By Minna Törmä and Minna Törmä

Finnish-Swedish art historian Osvald Sir n (1879-1966) was one of the pioneers of Chinese art scholarship in the West. This biography focuses on his four major voyages to East Asia 1918, 1921-23, 1929-30 and 1935. This was a pivotal period in Chinese archaeology, art studies and formation of Western collections of Chinese art. Sir n gained international renown as a scholar of Italian art, particularly with his books on Leonardo da Vinci and Giotto. But when he was almost 40 years old, he was captivated by Chinese art (paintings of Lohans in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston) to such an extent that he decided to start his career anew, in a way. He has left his mark in several fields in Chinese art studies architecture, sculpture, painting and garden art. The study charts Sir n's itineraries during his travels in Japan, Korea and China; it introduces the various people in those countries as well as in Europe and North America who defined the field in its early stages and were influential as collectors and dealers. It also explores the impact of theosophical ideas in his work.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9888139843
• ISBN13: 9789888139842
• Release Date: August 2013
• Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.5"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher