Chinese art
Scrolls and porcelain
Chinese art encompasses the visual arts produced in China or by Chinese artists across millennia—painting, calligraphy, ceramics, sculpture, jade carving, silk weaving, and more.
The tradition emphasizes brushwork, harmony with nature, and philosophical depth rooted in Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist thought.
The museum's Chinese art collection spans from Shang dynasty bronzes to contemporary ink painting.
Bristled cleaning tool
- inkWriting fluid
- inkstoneSlab for grinding pigment
- rice paperThin edible Asian wrapper
- strokesGentle touches, swimming styles
seal · cursive · oracle bone script · couplet · chop · hanging scroll · copybook
Translucent fired clay
- celadonGrayish-green ceramic finish
- blue-and-whiteCeramic color scheme
- glazeThin lustrous coating
- kilnOven for hardening clay
stoneware · earthenware · vase · teapot · terracotta · clay · underglaze · overglaze
Painter's stroke method
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- ink washDiluted pigment brushwork
- handscrollHorizontal scroll for viewing
- bambooTall woody grass
hanging scroll · peonies · figure painting · mounting · colophon · silk scroll
Legendary fire-breathing reptile
- phoenixSelf-immolating, regenerating bird
- lotusSacred aquatic flower
- bambooTall woody grass
- plum blossomFlower of stone-fruit tree
chrysanthemum · pine · crane · bat · peach · fish · lion · qilin
Copper-tin alloy
- jade carvingShaped ornamental greenstone
- Buddha statuesSculptures of awakened teacher
- stone carvingSculptural work in rock
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
Glossy protective coating
- cinnabarRed mercuric sulfide ore
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- mother-of-pearlIridescent inner shell coating
- gold leafUltra-thin decorative metal
Decorative stitching on fabric
- brocadeRaised-pattern luxury fabric
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
- damaskReversible figured fabric
satin · court robes · rank badges · goldwork · needlework · silk screen · ceremonial garments
brush
Bristled cleaning tool
- inkWriting fluid
- inkstoneSlab for grinding pigment
- rice paperThin edible Asian wrapper
strokes · seal · cursive · oracle bone script · couplet · chop · hanging scroll · copybook
porcelain
Translucent fired clay
- celadonGrayish-green ceramic finish
- blue-and-whiteCeramic color scheme
- glazeThin lustrous coating
kiln · stoneware · earthenware · vase · teapot · terracotta · clay · underglaze · overglaze · pottery
brushwork
Painter's stroke method
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- ink washDiluted pigment brushwork
- handscrollHorizontal scroll for viewing
hanging scroll · bamboo · peonies · figure painting · mounting · colophon · silk scroll
dragon
Legendary fire-breathing reptile
plum blossom · chrysanthemum · pine · crane · bat · peach · fish · lion · qilin · tortoise
bronze
Copper-tin alloy
- jade carvingShaped ornamental greenstone
- Buddha statuesSculptures of awakened teacher
- stone carvingSculptural work in rock
grotto · relief · bodhisattva · ivory carving · netsuke
lacquer
Glossy protective coating
- cinnabarRed mercuric sulfide ore
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- mother-of-pearlIridescent inner shell coating
gold leaf · screens · boxes · furniture · trays · vessels · polychrome
embroidery
Decorative stitching on fabric
- brocadeRaised-pattern luxury fabric
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
damask · satin · court robes · rank badges · goldwork · needlework · silk screen · ceremonial garments
- world art
- SinologyConfucianism, Daoism, Han dynasty, Qing dynasty, Four Books
- artRenaissance, painters, masterpieces, paint, Baroque
- ChinaBeijing, Shanghai, Great Wall, Yellow River, Forbidden City
- East AsiaJapan, South Korea, North Korea, Korea, Taiwan
- art museumspaintings, The Louvre, galleries, permanent collection, exhibitions
Chinese artWestern art
European visual heritage
European art · American art · Greek art · Roman art · Italian Renaissance art
Chinese artphotorealism
Art imitating camera accuracy
Renaissance art · trompe-l'oeil · neoclassical art · Impressionism · Abstract Expressionism
art, artist, artistic, arts, artistry, artful, artisan, China, artifact