Chinese Art | History, Styles & Techniques

Ancient China developed a wide variety of exquisite artworks. Every age and dynasty had a unique specialty. Chinese philosophy and religion have an influence on the subjects and forms of art.

The Three Perfections

Painting, poetry, and calligraphy were the three perfections. In art, they were frequently mixed. These gained significance beginning with the Song Dynasty.

Calligraphy – Calligraphy is the art of writing by hand. Ancient Chinese people valued writing as a significant kind of art. Calligraphers would put in years of work to learn how to write precisely but elegantly. It was necessary to sketch each of the more than 40,000 characters precisely. Additionally, there was a certain order in which each stroke of a character had to be drawn.

Poetry – Poetry was a significant artistic medium as well. Although there were many well-known poets throughout the empire, poetry writing was expected of everyone with a degree. Poetry grew so significant during the Tang Dynasty that it was required to write poetry as part of the exams to become a civil servant and serve for the government.

Painting – Painting was frequently merged with calligraphy and influenced by poetry. Many of the paintings were landscapes with houses, trees, birds, mountains, and water in them.

Porcelain

Not only was fine Chinese porcelain a significant work of art, but it also developed into a significant export. Blue and white vases rose in value during the Ming Dynasty and were sold to affluent people in Europe and Asia.

Silk

The art of creating silk from spun silkworm cocoons was perfected by the Ancient Chinese. They kept this method a secret for hundreds of years since silk made China affluent and was sought after by other countries. Silk was also dyed in elaborate and ornamental designs.

Lacquer

In their artwork, the ancient Chinese frequently used lacquer. Sumac tree sap is used to create the clear covering known as lacquer. Many works of art were enhanced and made more beautiful using it. Additionally, it assisted in preventing damage to artwork, particularly from insects.

Army of Terracotta

A intriguing feature of Ancient Chinese art is the Terracotta Army. In order to safeguard Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, in the afterlife, it was made for his burial. It is made up of a vast army of sculptures, numbering in the thousands. The terracotta army contained sculptures of more over 8,000 warriors and 520 horses. These sculptures weren’t small either. 8,000 soldiers in total were life-size! They contained specifics as well, such as clothing, armor, weaponry, and even individual faces for each soldier.

Calligraphy is the art of writing by hand. Ancient Chinese people valued writing as a significant kind of art. Calligraphers would put in years of work to learn how to write precisely but elegantly. It was necessary to sketch each of the more than 40,000 characters precisely. Additionally, there was a certain order in which each stroke of a character had to be drawn.