handscrolls
Unrolled Asian art
Handscrolls are horizontal painted or calligraphic scrolls meant to be held in both hands and unrolled gradually from right to left, revealing the artwork in sequence.
Associated with East Asian art traditions, especially Chinese and Japanese, they create an intimate viewing experience—one section at a time, like reading a narrative: The museum displayed the handscroll fully unrolled behind glass, though it was designed to be viewed in segments.
Parallel to the horizon
- mountedFixed in position
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- paperPressed pulp for writing
- rolledRotated or turned over
unfurling · continuous · brocade · mounting · backing · colophon · makimono · long
Pigment on canvas
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- inkWriting fluid
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
narrative · illustration · composition · scene · imagery · figures · mountains · rivers
Extending something coiled
- readingInterpreting written text
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- intimateClosely personal or private
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
progression · revelation · journey · pacing · discovery · meditation · armrest · table
horizontal
Parallel to the horizon
rolled · unfurling · continuous · brocade · mounting · backing · colophon · makimono · long · narrow
painting
Pigment on canvas
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- inkWriting fluid
landscape · narrative · illustration · composition · scene · imagery · figures · mountains · rivers · seals
unrolling
Extending something coiled
- readingInterpreting written text
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- intimateClosely personal or private
contemplation · progression · revelation · journey · pacing · discovery · meditation · armrest · table · session
Chinese
Of that Asian nation
Ming · Asian · museum · collection · preservation · artifact · antiquity · heritage · treasure · dynasty
handscrollsmurals
Large wall paintings
wall paintings · wall scrolls · frescoes · screens · folding screens
handscrollswall paintings
Art affixed to walls
altarpieces · public monuments · monumental art · triptychs · diptychs