Discover Traditional Chinese Painting

Painting is not just the outcome of creative bend of mind instead it is a window through which soul peeks out. Careful study will help you to understand the trickery used in brushstrokes, symbolism, and color blends. There are so many types of paintings available in the world in which Chinese paintings have their own share and contribution to the art domain. Go through the Chinese Paintings and then you will know what we are talking about. Attractive bends, symbolic depiction of nature and perfect presentation as if printed words are talking in intensive mood is something that you can experience while going through Chinese Calligraphy. If you are a Chinese art lover or Visitor in China, there are lot more things for you to invest on. But before that, do some research on Chinese Painting.



History: The Legend of Chinese Painting


The earliest work of Chinese Painting has been found in 1949 from the tomb of Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). The work includes paintings on silk of phoenixes, human figures, and dragons that measure up to 30cm long by 20cm wide. Intricate brush strokes and the elegance that has been depicted in the paintings are intensively religious and mythological in themes.


When tomb of Jin Dynasty (265-420 A.D) was excavated at Astana in Tinpan, Xinjiang in 1964, a colorful painting on paper was discovered that depicts the sun on top, the moon, big dipper, and below, owner of tomb sitting on couch in cross legged posture with a fan in his hand. The painting measure up to 106.5cm long by 47cm in height. The painting holds specialty as it is the only known Chinese painting on paper.


More About Chinese Painting


Chinese painting requires traditional Chinese painting tools having aesthetic standard. The visible unique style of Chinese Painting is painted on thin silk with brushes, rice paper with Chinese ink and painting dye. Till now, Chinese painting has been classified in three branches namely Human Figures, Landscapes, and Flowers & Birds.



Chinese Human Figure Painting: Figure painting in China stresses on “nature as a teacher”. Short figure is the major genre of Chinese Painting that is classified into Buddhist and Taoist Painting, Female Images, History-story Painting, and so forth. Lifelike portrayal of character’s personality in terms of both outlook and spirit is the specialty.


Chinese Landscape Painting: Mountains, mist, and water have symbolic representation in Chinese Painting. Water and mist are denoted for luck and happiness whereas mountains depict long life. Portrayal of homes, people, and animals are symbolic representation of long & happy life where human soul and nature are together.


Chinese Flower & Bird Painting: Trees, flowers, and birds are used as metaphors in Chinese Painting. Pine trees stands for immortality and uprightness whereas pine trees together with prunes and Bamboo is the symbolic representation of three friends of winter. Group of flowers depicts the four seasons and the prunes implicate bravery and as the messenger of spring.


Symbolism is an irresistible part of Chinese Painting. Close attention to detail and freehand brushstrokes make the Chinese painting more attractive.