Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army

Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army is a sophisticated historical and artistic work carried out by man prior to modern civilization. The artwork shows humanity's magnificent commitment to leaving an indelible imprint in history through the use of written documentation. It accurately reflects how people have used art to express values, community practices, human standards, rituals, and even people's social arrangements. Several artistic works can be difficult to comprehend; but, by watching them, people can get a visual representation of the people and subsequent cultures that existed in history. Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army provides vital visual remnants of Chinese history that allows viewers to have a glimpse of the past (Carelli, 2008). The most recognizable are the contributions by the founder of the Chinese empire, Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his army's frame work.
Civilization of art represented
Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army molded arts shows the Chinese Civilization art depicting various forms of the Chinese culture in the ancient times. From the artworks, the viewer's visualizes the Qin Shi Huang approach to military, weapons used in those olden days, mode of burying the dead, the people's belief regarding the dead. Qin Shi Huang was the originator of the Qin dynasty and ruled the territory between 221-207 B.C. According to written documentation, several structures constructed in the Chinese history are traced to his time at the helm of the empire such as the initial version of the China's Great Wall (Larson, 2013). Currently, the Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army has a huge mausoleum complex constructed to house the empires tomb and 6,000 life-size terra cotta soldiers who were designed to protect the emperor following his after death life. The mold artwork indicates that ancient Chinese believed in an afterlife. It also indicates the huge number of military force in the ancient and the level of combat organization entailed during the ancient period despite the absence of the modern civilization; the empire organized itself excellently.
The discovery also uncovered various weapons used by the Chinese generation. In the pits in which the Terra Cotta army was discovered, there were around 40,000 bronze weapons which included the combat axes, various types of crossbows, arrowheads and even spears. Despite storage for over 2000 years, the weapons were well preserved and safeguarded. The weapons had a chrome plating which had since been thought to be have been first used by Germans in 1937, but that's untrue. The discovery reveals the complexity of the Chinese metallurgy practices. The Terracotta Army immortalizes Emperor Qin who was responsible for the expansive development of early China. Some of his greatest attempts are visible in the vast army, considerable development in politics, the establishment of an excellent economy and strong Chinese culture. He was also credited with the introduction of the standard Chinese written script, several canals and construction of roads. The sophistication of the weapons used indicates extensive knowledge his people had in metallurgy, homogeneous weights and measurement especially as exposed by the army. It also exhibits his high level of mobilization in undertaking large-scale public works as notable in the construction of the early Great Wall and even construction of the Terracotta Army.
The artist of the piece
Historians believe that the entire artwork was created by combined efforts of around 700,000 workers who handled the projects virtually through three decades. Each work done had marks of the name of worker who did it to enable assessment of accountability and quality. The uncovering by the archeologists have exposed around the 20-square-mile complex that consists of around 8,000 terra cotta combatants and multiple horses and battle chariots. The complex also houses the pyramid mound which symbolizes the emperor's tomb, several remnants of the palace, working offices, produce stores and even stables. The complex also has a second huge pit that contains around 6000 military men, a subsequent pit that houses a cavalry and infantry components. The third pit holds high-ranking military persons and chariots while the fourth is empty which indicates that work was yet to be finished when the king died (Kinoshita, 2007).
Reason for choosing this piece
I chose the Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army due to wide level of human inputs rendered in the derivation of the project. Artwork also reveals the nature of combatants attires used in ancient for the various fighters. Employment of many men in the army corresponds to the modern approach whereby multiple superpower nations employ huge armies to defend them. According to the historians, the molds remained untouched and unknown for more than 2,200 years following the death of the Emperor. It further shows his strength and power to sophisticatedly handle the huge empire. The discovery of the archaeological site further stresses the already recorded documents of history regarding the Emperor. Historians lay out his emperor's antique merits such as an attempt to consolidate and unify the Chinese provinces in a centralized control or government. Critical qualities of leadership emanate from the Emperor who is credited with peace and stability during his reign. Another key reason for choosing the art is the level of sophistication in output by the designers. The makers of the molded soldiers in the Terra Cotta Army ensured that each of them looked different from the other. The art also presents a new spiritual understanding regarding life. The ancient Chinese believed that empire needed servants and security in the next life after death. Death is one huge mystery that many cultures and communities relate to in different approaches (Zhang, 1996).
Medium used in making the piece
The Terracotta Army was molded in separate parts using clay, dried then fired. After firing, the component were assembled and later painted. The army shows the meticulously designed life-size models that show the United Chinese army following the completion of the Warring States Period around 476 BC to 221 BC. The archaeology represents one of the biggest and notable archaeological site globally and a critical discovery in the 20th century (Ledderose & Bollingen Foundation, 2000).
Reason for creating the piece
Apart from serving as the guards of the emperor in his after life, the Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army was designed as the substitutes of real people. The Chinese historical outline, especially amongst the Shang and even Zhou dynasties rulers were normally buried along by their earthly officials, attendants, and even soldiers. Another key reason for the erecting Terracotta Army was to safeguard the honor and respect of the kingdom (Man, 2008).
Conclusion
In summary, Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army explains one of the world's oldest human civilization and sophistication that has been kept over millennials not only through written documentation but through human tangible and visible arts. The use of arts, paints, and molds creates better pictures than merely written recordings. The structures reveal the Chinese use of weapon early enough in the history of mankind. Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army explains the huge respect rendered to the imperial leaders in the past and also exposes Chinese culture regarding death. The culture is even relatable to cultures of the other communities which bury their people with their belongings perhaps to use them in the second world. The Chinese equally believe that there is a second world after a person's death. Very few communities believe that life ends with death. The Terracotta Army reveal the multiplicity of the use of the earth or soil in the past.


References
Carelli, F. (2008). The terracotta army. London journal of primary care, 1(1), 56-57.
Larson, M. D. (2013). The Terracotta Warriors. Anesthesiology, 119(3), 721.
Kinoshita, H. (2007). THE FIRST EMPEROR: CHINA'S TERRACOTTA ARMY: Exhibition at the British Museum, 13 September 2007-6 April 2008. Asian Affairs, 38(3), 371-376.
Zhang, W. (1996). The Qin terracotta army: treasures of Lintong. Philip Wilson Publishers, Limited.
Man, J. (2008). The Terracotta Army: China's first emperor and the birth of a nation. Random House.
Ledderose, L., & Bollingen Foundation. (2000). Ten thousand things: module and mass production in Chinese art (Vol. 5). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.