The Mongols created a distinctive tradition of art, based on a combination of steppe traditions and the traditions of the conquered peoples. The Mongol artistic tradition was characterized by a cosmopolitanism that combined elements from China, Persia, and Central Asia, and it was a major expression of the Pax Mongolica. The most distinctive features of the Mongol artistic tradition were the visual arts, the decorative arts, and the architectural arts.
The Mongol art reached its height in the Yuan Dynasty in China, where the imperial court patronized a wide range of artistic traditions. The most distinctive of the Yuan artistic traditions was the painting of the Yuan court, which combined Chinese brushwork with Persian colors and motifs. The architecture of the Yuan capital, Khanbaliq, was similarly cosmopolitan, combining Chinese, Tibetan, and Persian elements.
Painting
The most distinctive form of Mongol art was painting, and the Mongols were major patrons of painting throughout the empire. The Mongol painting tradition was based on a combination of Chinese, Persian, and Tibetan styles, and it was characterized by a cosmopolitanism that was unmatched in the medieval world.
The most famous of the Mongol painters was Zhao Mengfu, a Chinese painter who served at the Yuan court and who was a major figure in the development of the Yuan painting tradition. Zhao Mengfu was a versatile artist who worked in a variety of styles, and he was particularly famous for his landscapes and his calligraphic works.
The other famous Mongol painters included the Persian painter Mahmud ibn Fakh al-Din, who served at the Ilkhanate court and who was a major figure in the development of the Ilkhanate painting tradition; and the Chinese painter Wang Meng, who served at the Yuan court and who was a major figure in the development of the Yuan landscape tradition.
Decorative Arts
The Mongols were also famous for their decorative arts, and the decorative arts were a central feature of the Mongol cultural tradition. The most important of the decorative arts were the metalwork, the textile production, the carpet weaving, and the manuscript illustration.
The metalwork of the Mongols was particularly famous, and the Mongols were known for their high-quality metalwork in gold, silver, and bronze. The most famous of the Mongol metalwork was the “Golden Belt,” a type of decorative belt that was widely used by the Mongol ruling class. The metalwork was often inlaid with precious stones, and it was a major symbol of the wealth and the power of the Mongols.
The textile production of the Mongols was also famous, and the Mongols were known for their high-quality textiles, particularly silk and velvet. The most famous of the Mongol textiles was the “Mongol silk,” a type of silk fabric that was widely used in the Mongol court. The textile production was a major source of revenue for the Mongol Empire, and the textile trade was a major part of the Pax Mongolica.
Architecture
The architecture of the Mongols was also a distinctive feature of the Mongol cultural tradition, and it was characterized by a combination of steppe traditions and the traditions of the conquered peoples. The most famous of the Mongol architectural traditions was the yurt, a portable, round tent that was the characteristic dwelling of the Mongol people. The yurt was a sophisticated piece of design, and it was widely copied by the cultures of the steppe.
The Mongols were also famous for their urban architecture, particularly the architecture of the imperial capitals. The most famous of the Mongol imperial capitals was Khanbaliq (modern Beijing), which was the capital of the Yuan Dynasty from 1271 to 1368. The architecture of Khanbaliq was a major synthesis of Chinese, Tibetan, and Persian styles, and it was a major symbol of the cosmopolitanism of the Mongol Empire.
The other important Mongol architectural traditions included the architecture of Karakorum, the original capital of the Mongol Empire; the architecture of Sarai, the capital of the Golden Horde; and the architecture of Tabriz, the capital of the Ilkhanate. All of these cities were major centers of the Mongol architectural tradition, and they were widely copied by the cultures of the successor states.
Crafts and Decorative Arts
The Mongols were famous for their crafts, and the crafts were a central feature of the Mongol economic life. The most important of the Mongol crafts were the leatherwork, the metalwork, the textile production, and the pottery. The crafts were typically produced in workshops, and the workshops were typically located in the larger camps or in the towns.
The leatherwork of the Mongols was particularly famous, and the Mongols were known for their high-quality leather goods, particularly saddles, harnesses, and yurt covers. The leatherwork was a major source of revenue for the Mongol Empire, and the leatherwork was widely traded across the empire.
The pottery of the Mongols was also famous, and the Mongols were known for their high-quality pottery, particularly the blue-and-white pottery that was a major feature of the Mongol artistic tradition. The pottery was a major source of revenue for the Mongol Empire, and the pottery was widely traded across the empire.
The Legacy of Mongol Art
The legacy of the Mongol art is visible in a number of ways. The most obvious is in the modern art of Mongolia, where the traditional art of the Mongols is still practiced. The most famous of the modern Mongol artists is the painter, and Mongolian painting is a major feature of the cultural heritage of Mongolia.
The legacy of the Mongol art is also visible in the art of the successor states of the Mongol Empire. The most obvious is in the art of the Yuan Dynasty in China, which combined the traditions of the Mongols with the traditions of China to create a distinctive cosmopolitan culture. The other examples include the art of the Ilkhanate in Persia, which combined the traditions of the Mongols with the traditions of Persia to create a distinctive cosmopolitan culture.
Sources
- Jack Weatherford, The Secret History of the Mongol Queens (New York, 2010).
- Anatoly M. Khazanov, Nomads and the Outside World (2nd ed., Madison, 1994).
- David Morgan, The Mongols (2nd ed., Oxford, 2007).