| Starting around 4000 BC traditional
Chinese painting has developed continuously over a period of
more than six thousand years. Its growth has inevitably reflected
the changes of time and social conditions. In its early stage
of development, Chinese painting was closely related to the
other crafts, from pottery to the decorations used on the bronzes,
carved jade and lacqerware.
Following the introduction of Buddhism to China from India
during the 1st century AD and the consequent carving of grottoes
and building of temples, the art of painting religious murals
gradually gained in prominence.
The range of subject matters dealt with in figure painting
was extended far beyond religious themes during the Song dynasty
(960-1127). Paintings of historical character and stories
of everyday life became extremely popular. Techniques were
also further refined.
Landscape painting had already established itself as an
independent form of expression by the 4th century. Then gradually
developed into the two separate styles of “blue-and-green
landscapes” and “ink-and-wash landscape”. The blue-and-green
landscape used bright blue, green and red pigments derived
from minerals to create a richly decorative style. The ink-and
wash landscape relied on vivid brushwork and varying degrees
of intensity of ink to express the artist's conception of
nature, and his own emotions and individuality.
Flower-and-bird painting was separated from decorative art
to form an independent genre around the 9th century. Great
many artists painted in this genre during the Song dynasty
and their subject matter included a rich variety of flowers,
fruits, insects and fish. Many of the scholar painters working
with ink and brush used a great economy of line. They produced
paintings of such things as plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo,
chrysanthemums, pines and cypresses, using their subject matter
to reflect their own ideals and character.
Modern painters have often mixed several colors on one brush
or mixed their colors with black inks. As a result, they have
obtained more natural and richly varied colors. Such techniques
have been widely adopted and further developed in the contemporary
period. |
