"The late 19th century was a time of tremendous change and upheaval in China. The old order was falling apart and the new struggled to emerge. Shaped around a recent exhibit entitled ""Transcending Turmoil: Painting at the Close of China's Empire,"" this book explores the period with insight and fresh perspective. It includes sections such as: ""Looking at Late Qing Painting with New Eyes,"" by Chou-Tsing Li; ""Painters and Publishing in Late 19th-century Shanghai,"" by Jonathan Hay and ""Calligraphy at the Close of the Chinese Empire,"" by Lothar Ledderose."