Ars Orientalis 53 marks an important juncture in the history of the journal, one of the oldest of its kind devoted to scholarship on Asian art. Published in collaboration with the University of Michigan since 1954, the current volume celebrates the museum’s centennial. Since its inception, Ars Orientalis has reinforced the vision and aspirations of the museum’s founder, Charles Lang Freer (1854–1919), in highlighting the burgeoning field of Asian art, from East Asia to the Mediterranean and North Africa. Seminal articles on Chinese scrolls, Indian bronzes, Japanese screens, Persian manuscripts, and more have inspired generations of scholars around the world. Over the past seventy years, the articles have expanded in geographic, thematic, and art historical scope, attracting a more diverse range of readers, in parallel with the growth and expansion of the field of Asian art.
The last few decades saw several critical changes for the journal. Beginning in 2011, Ars Orientalis has featured themed volumes, ranging from early imperial photography (2013) to miraculous images in Asia (2020). Volume 53 is the last in this tradition. To mark NMAA’s centennial, an open call solicited papers specifically focused on works from the collections, following a model similar to that of the previous fiftieth and seventy-fifth anniversary volumes.
In 2017, Ars Orientalis also became open access—available worldwide, free of charge, and without restrictions. The journal’s audience increased by over 300 percent and now includes readers from more than 150 countries, including India, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, and Oman, among many others. All past volumes of Ars Orientalis are also available for free online. Our digital-first approach allows for both greater reach and the incorporation of videos, 3D models, and other media. Underscoring the importance of the digital tools, research resources, and publications that are transforming the field of art history, Ars Orientalis launched the Digital Initiatives review column ten years ago, making it one of the first journals of its kind to recognize the scholarship inherent in digital projects.
In celebrating the museum’s anniversary, this issue honors the past by presenting new art historical perspectives on NMAA’s holdings of Asian art while also forging a new future for the journal. By fostering greater scholarly visibility, global outreach, and innovative digital tools, Ars Orientalis aspires to expand and disseminate knowledge and, in turn, encourage more extensive studies, greater understanding, and deeper appreciation of the arts and cultures of Asia.
