Chinese Painting — Development, Traditions, Aesthetics, and Artistic Conception

Chinese Painting, or Danqing, is a traditional visual art form where brushstrokes weave tales of ancient traditions, profound spirituality, timeless allure, and artistic brilliance.

Rooted in a rich cultural heritage that spans millennia, Chinese painting is infused with poetic beauty and ingenious conceptions, with a focus on capturing the essence and spirit of nature and the human soul.

Penglai Island Painted by Artist Qiu Ying (about 1497 — 1552)

Mythical World Penglai Island Painted by Artist Qiu Ying (about 1498 — 1552) — Poly Art Museum

Origin, Development, and Styles of Ancient Chinese Paintings

Artists and Aesthetics Influencers

Common Motifs and Symbolisms of Traditional Chinese Painting

Appreciation of Chinese Figure Painting

Artistic Conception of Chinese Landscape Painting

Poetic Beauty of Chinese Flowers and Birds Painting

Important Elements of Chinese Painting

Four Treasures of the Study and Other Chinese Painting Supplies

Court Ladies in Chinese Figure Painting "Zanhua Shinv Tu", By Artist Zhou Fang of the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) — Liaoning Museum

Development and Styles of Ancient Chinese Paintings

Neolithic Painting

The most ancient Chinese Characters are Pictograms, which combined writing and painting into one system, to record important events and convey information.

Symbols on Painted Pottery Basin of Yangshao Culture (Around 5000 BC — 3000 BC) — National Museum of China (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Mural Painting

Gradually, with more formation principles applied to enrich and develop Chinese Characters, paintings separated as an independent art form.

During the Qin Dynasty (221 BC — 207 BC) and Han Dynasty (202 BC — 220 AD), palace and mausoleum murals were two major styles, while later religious ones were introduced and became widespread.

Palace Mural

Palace murals usually include eulogizing the accomplishments of the ancestors and sages, memorizing meritorious generals and officials, praying blessings from deities, etc.

However, these exquisite and fancy paintings mostly turned to dust with the fall of the palaces.

Mural "Sima Tu" Unearthed from Ruins of Xianyang Palace, The Imperial Palace of Qin Shi Huang (259 BC — 210 BC).

Mausoleum Mural

On the other hand, Mausoleum murals buried underground are preserved relatively better.

In general, grave murals would include detailed life experiences and significant accomplishments of the mausoleum's master, as well as a wondrous world that the decedent's soul would be living in, which was guarded by auspicious mythical animals and surrounded by beautiful clouds and stars.

Grave Mural of Eastern Han Dynasty (25 — 220) 7.3 m × 0.7m

Grave Mural of Dahuting Tomb of Eastern Han Dynasty (25 — 220) Drawing about the Owner's Banquet

Religious Mural

In the late Han Dynasty (202 BC — 220 AD), Taoism Religion was formed, and later Buddhism was introduced.

Since then, religious murals have rapidly spread, popularized, and peaked during the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907).

Portion of Dunhuang Mural of Mogao Grottoes (around 618 — 907)

A Portion of Dunhuang Buddhism Mural of Mogao Grottoes (Built Around 618 — 907)

Chinese religious murals portray figures of deities and tell stories of their cultivation experiences, which include valuable information regarding culture, society, customs, history, mythology, etc.

Part of Murals of Taoism Deities on the Walls inside the Yongle Palace (Built in 1247 — 1358) in Shanxi Province

Part of Murals of Taoist Deities on Walls inside the Yongle Palace (Built in 1247 — 1358) in Shanxi Province

Silk Painting

From no later than the Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC) to the paper's invention in the Han Dynasty (202 BC — 220 AD), paintings on silk were famous among nobles, originally used inside graves to guide the deceased's soul to heaven or to enter the next life successfully.

Earliest Existing Silk Painting in China, with Auspicious Animals and Deities Welcoming the Owner to Heaven, Unearthed from Mawangdui Tomb of Western Han Dynasty (202 BC — 8 AD).

Later, people started to paint for other purposes, to appreciate paintings as art forms, and the less expensive paper became the most popular material after being invented.

However, paintings on silk and other fabrics remain a popular style for their ethereal beauties.

Part of Silk Painting "Luoshen Fu" by artist Gu Kaizhi (348 — 405). This is the copied version by people of the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279), preserved in the Palace Museum.

Traditional Chinese Painting

After the invention of paper during the Han Dynasty, Traditional Chinese Painting gradually took shape, commonly utilizing brushes and ink on paper.

Additionally, paintings could be mounted on scrolls or created on various surfaces such as fans, folding screens, album sheets, umbrellas, and inside snuff bottles (Inner Painting).

Traditional Chinese Painting inside Snuff Bottle or Inner Painting, by Zhou Leyuan in 1891

Traditional Chinese Painting inside Snuff Bottle or Inner Painting of the Qing Dynasty, by Zhou Leyuan in 1891— Liaoning Museum

Artists and Aesthetic Influencers of Chinese Paintings

In ancient times, Chinese artists were mainly from two groups, the ruling classes who painted as hobbies, and professional artisans who painted as a career.

Chinese Literati Painting

Chinese Literati Painting, or Wenrenhua, originated in the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) and included paintings drawn by the nobles and scholars, the ruling class of ancient China, who painted for fun or to express emotions had been the primary influencers of aesthetic values.

Most were amateurs and considered writing calligraphy and painting to show their disposition, temperament, educational level, ambition, elegance, morals, and wisdom.

Hence, ancient Chinese Literati Paintings pay more attention to artistic conception than being realistic, the essence and spirit of objects rather than rich colors, and are usually closely connected with Chinese Calligraphy and Poetry.

Chinese Literati Painting "Xiaoxiang Zhushi Tu" by Eminent Scholar Su Shi (1037 — 1101) — National Art Museum of China

Chinese Court Painting

Chinese Court Painting or Yuantihua refers to paintings drawn by professional artists who worked in imperial courts and painted under the command of emperors and other royals.

It originated in the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) to portray the life of the royals or to paint things that the imperials commanded or appreciated.

Court Painting "Bunian Tu" about Emperor Taizong of Tang Receiving the Tibetan (Tu Bo) Envoy, by Yan Liben (601 — 673) Under the Emperor's Command — Palace Museum

Chinese Court Painting thrived in the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279) and reached its peak during the reign period of Emperor Huizong of Song (1082 — 1135), who was a great artist and taught painting in his imperial art academy.

Auspicious Crane (He Rui Tu), Painted By Emperor Huizong of Song — Liaoning Museum

Therefore, the emperor's interests and aesthetic values played important roles in court paintings, which were delicate, neat, colorful, magnificent, bright, and sophisticated.

Part of Painting Thousands Miles of Mountains and Rivers (Qian Li Jiang Shan Tu), by Artist Wang Ximeng of the Song Dynasty

Part of Painting "Thousands Miles of Mountains and Rivers" (Qian Li Jiang Shan Tu), by One of Emperor Huizong of Song's Student, the Artist Wang Ximeng (1096 — 1119) — The Palace Museum

Motifs and Symbolisms of Traditional Chinese Painting

In traditional Chinese painting, some motifs have been quite common to draw, including figures, buildings, landscapes, birds, animals, flowers, fruits, immortals, mythical creatures, mystical lands, and religion-related stories.

Most objects have specific symbolism meanings, such as:

Mountain and Water — Great and stable reign, prosperous society, eminent power, or tranquil and peaceful place.

Water — Modesty, noble ambition, purity, and wisdom.

Bamboo, Orchid, and Chrysanthemum — Virtues, elegance, modesty, and loyalty.

Pine Trees — Life, strength, and unbending.

Click to Read More About Symbolic of Flowers in Chinese Culture

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Patterns and Chinese Symbols

"Hu Zhong Fu Gui Tu" that Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji Painted to Award His Exceptional Prime Minister Yang Shiqi (1365-1444), Wishing Him A Long and Wealthy Life

"Hu Zhong Fu Gui Tu" that Xuande Emperor Painted to Award His Exceptional Prime Minister Yang Shiqi (1365-1444), Wishing Him A Long and Wealthy Life — Taipei Palace Museum

Among all motifs of Traditional Chinese Paintings, three main styles are believed to be the most popular and established: Figure, Landscape, and Flower-and-Bird Paintings.

Appreciation of Chinese Figure Painting

Figure Painting is the most ancient style in China, initially serving political and religious functions in history.

Human Figure in Silk Painting of the Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC), With Chinese Phoenix That Believed Could Guide the Deceased's Soul to Heaven — Hunan Museum

Therefore, emperors, officials, sages, court ladies, historical events, religious figures, and stories are basic subjects of Chinese Figure Paintings.

Figures in the Painting "Night Revels of Han Xizai", by Gu Hongzhong 1

Figures in the Painting "Night Revels of Han Xizai", by Gu Hongzhong 2

Figures in the Painting "Night Revels of Han Xizai", by Gu Hongzhong (910 — 980). This is the copied version by people of the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279), preserved in the Palace Museum.

Later in the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279), with the thriving economy and culture, Genre Painting (Fengsu Hua) became quite popular as a splendid art form that presented the prosperity of a remarkable reign and the wealthy lives of ordinary civilians.

Genre Painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Artist Zhang Zeduan of the Song Dynasty 1

Genre Painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Artist Zhang Zeduan of the Song Dynasty 2

Genre Painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Artist Zhang Zeduan of the Song Dynasty 3

"Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Artist Zhang Zeduan (1085 — 1145),
Genre Painting of the Capital City (Bianjing or Kaifeng) of the Song Dynasty — Palace Museum

Artistic Conception of Chinese Landscape Painting

Chinese Landscape Paintings, or Shanshuihua, formed as an independent painting style in the Sui Dynasty (589 — 619), usually containing mountains, lakes, rivers, stones, trees, buildings, boats, and other natural sceneries.

Since the beginning, two major Chinese landscape painting styles are Blue-Green (Qinglv) and Ink and Wash (Mobi).

Blue-Green or Qinglv Style Chinese Landscape Painting "You Chun Tu" by Zhan Ziqian (about 545 — 618) — Palace Museum

Ink and Wash or Mobi Style Chinese Landscape Painting "Jianggan Xueji Tu" by Wang Wei (701 — 761).

Later, a type of golden paint (Nijin) was used to outline Blue-Green Paintings, forming the resplendent Golden-Blue Landscape Painting (Jinbi Shanshui).

Golden-Blue Landscape Painting or Jinbi Shanshui "Minghuang Xingshu Tu" by Li Zhaodao (675 — 758), About Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Fled to Sichuan during An-Shi Rebellion. This is the copied version by people of the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279), preserved in the Taipei Palace Museum.

With the increasing influence of scholar-officials since the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279), their favorite style, the poetic Ink and Wash paintings resembling Chinese Calligraphy became increasingly popular.

Through those quiet, dreamy natural sceneries and masterful use of brushes and ink, they could pursue inner peace, spiritual serenity, and self-cultivation.

Chinese Landscape Painting "Chongjiang Diezhang Tu" by Zhao Mengfu 2

Chinese Landscape Painting "Chongjiang Diezhang Tu" by Zhao Mengfu (1254 — 1322) of the Yuan Dynasty — Taipei Palace Museum

The most recommended way to appreciate Chinese Landscape Painting is to immerse oneself in the painting, to walk, sit, live, and visit those poetic mountains, rivers, lakes, and fields.

Chinese Landscape Painting "Guanchao Tu" by Yuan Jiang (About 1671 — 1746) — Palace Museum

Poetic Beauty of Chinese Flowers and Birds Painting

Chinese Flowers and Birds Painting or Huaniaohua is about natural life, including plants, birds, insects, fishes, mammals, and mythical creatures.

Chinese Flowers and Birds Painting "Xinghua Yingwu Tu" by Huang Jucai (About 933 — 993)

Flowers and Birds Painting "Xinghua Yingwu Tu" by Chinese Painter Huang Jucai (About 933 — 993) — Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

It was formed as an independent genre in the Tang Empire (618 — 907), and the realistic Gongbi style of Flowers and Birds Paintings reached its peak during the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279).

Gongbi Style Chinese Flowers and Birds Painting "Guoshu Laiqin Tu", by Artist Lin Chun of the Song Dynasty — Palace Museum

Later, the relatively free ink and wash Xieyi style became popular with the rising power of scholar groups and reached a summit during the Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644).

Xieyi Style Chinese Flowers and Birds Painting "Zhushi Mudan Tu" by Xu Wei (1521 — 1593) — Shanghai Museum

Important Elements of Chinese Painting

Besides painting skills and artistic conceptions, some other important elements can consist of a beautiful traditional Chinese painting.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy, as a supreme art form in ancient history, is a significant part of Chinese Painting.

In general, calligraphy characters include painters' autographs, later written poems, and articles, which could harmonize the painting.

Calligraphy works on paintings sometimes can be written by people other than the artist, usually an excellent calligrapher or an influential person, or later the painting's collectors.

Painting and Calligraphy On "Xianglongshi Tu" by Emperor Huizong of Song (1082 — 1135)

Painting and Calligraphy On "Xianglongshi Tu" by Emperor Zhao Ji (1082 — 1135) — Palace Museum

Poem

Since the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279), artists would write poems on their paintings, which usually highlight the essence and spirit of the painting and show one's literary talent and noble virtues.

Seal

Well-designed and properly stamped seals, including those of the painter, calligraphy inscribers, collectors, and art connoisseurs, can enhance a painting aesthetically while conveying its origin, history, and values.

Seals on Genre Painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Artist Zhang Zeduan (1085 — 1145) — Palace Museum

Four Treasures of the Study and Other Chinese Painting Supplies

Four Treasures of the Study (Wen Fang Si Bao), including brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, are the main supplies for drawing.

Other tools are helpful to practice painting, such as Chinese pigments, paperweights, brush hangers, brush holders, brush washers, seals, ink paste, and fabric materials if one chooses to paint other than paper.

Part of Genre Painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (Qingming Shanghe Tu) by Qiu Ying (about 1498 — 1552) — Liaoning Museum