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Han Figure Painting
A detail of a basket dating to the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) showing two rows of famous historical figures. The Han dynasty period was the first time that Chinese artists attempted portraiture. (Central History Museum, Pyongyang, North Korea)
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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License & Copyright
Based on Wikipedia content that has been reviewed, edited, and republished.
Original image by Unknown Artist. Uploaded by Mark Cartwright, published on 28 September 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.
