The course will critically examine processes of globalisation, cross-cultural exchanges, the application of multiple cultural sources -- from Classical Art, to the context of renaissance Art in the early Modern era, with a special attention given to trans-cultural encounters. On one hand, we shall discuss art theories that developed in Asia over the centuries (ink painting, woodblock printing etc.), yet, we shall re-examine local values and their transformation as a consequent of the encounter with Western culture. We will discuss the assimilation of Greek and Buddhist sculpturing traditions; We shall consider theories and practices in Asian painting that occurred after the encounter with European visual culture, from the 15th c. onwards, like Nanban Art; We will evaluate the influence of Jesuit painters on the development of local styles in China and Japan; Porcelain and faience – cross-cultural influences in tableware; We will examine approaches to East-Asian art, curatorial rationale, and the methods by which such encounters are articulated for the viewer who is (nearly exclusively) defined as a Western viewer.