Art in the ancient world was initially associated with ceremonial ritual but, in time, began featuring subjects related to everyday life. The Chinese were among the first civilizations to create a narrative of their culture and mythology using different artforms. Portraits of people, landscapes, and sculpture were among the most popular modes of expression for the Chinese people.
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Han Woman, Dahuting Tomb
A portrait of an Eastern Han woman from the Dahuting tomb, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China. 25-220 CE.
Questions & Answers
When was jade first used in art in China?
- Jade was first used to make amulets and figurines by the Houli Culture of China c. 6500-c. 5500 BCE.
What are some characteristics of Chinese artworks?
- Chinese art depicts mythological, historical, and personal events and is characterized by attention to detail, mastery of a craft, and rich symbolism.
What were the earliest figures depicted in Chinese art?
- Among the earliest figures depicted in Chines art are the mythical pig-dragon, dragons, fish, tortoises, dogs, cicadas, and the cong and bi cylinders, all developed by the Liangzhu Culture c. 3400-2250 BCE.
What was jade associated with in ancient China?
- In ancient China, jade was associated with divinity, power, and protection.
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Original image by Unknown Artist. Uploaded by Mark Cartwright, published on 18 October 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Public Domain. This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.
