China is known as one of the oldest cultures in the world and is renowned for its ancient tradition and masterpieces in fine arts – among them, painting is a major form of Chinese artistic achievements. Chinese paintings, carried out over the centuries by generations of Chinese artist, are renowned for the dynamism, originality and vibrant colors. Chinese painting has become the world-renowned representative of Eastern Art, with masterpieces influencing other areas of the world’s creative development. Most famous Chinese paintings tell stories, express feelings and lead the spectator to deeper meaning of things.

In this article, we’ll learn about 9 of the most famous Chinese paintings, also referred to as masterpieces, from different periods throughout Chinese visual arts.

History of Chinese Painting  

Chinese painting is an ancient traditional art of long history. Historical records show that Chinese painting can be traced back to more than 6,000 years ago. It has evolved to six major schools in the Chinese art history.

The earliest Chinese painting was said to be traced back to the Neolithic period. It served as a visual expression of shamanistic ceremonies. During the Western Zhou Dynasty (1045 – 771 BC), painting were used for decorative and documentary purposes, particularly the portrayal of faces, animals, plants and ornaments. The Eastern Zhou Dynasty (1045 – 256 BC) was considered to be the era of the first major development of Chinese painting, with a long tradition from the kings of the Spring and Autumn period that adopted a systematic method of painting and calligraphy.

From the period of the Warring States (476 – 221 BC), Chinese painting has been introduced to the Qin and Han dynasties. During the Tang and Song Dynasties (618 – 1279), Chinese painting was flourishing and further progressed to traditional Chinese paintings. The Yuan dynasty (1279 – 1368) is considered the golden age of Chinese painting development. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 – 1911) painting style was moving towards a combination of traditional methods and Western painting styles, forming the basis of the modern Chinese art.

List of the Most Famous Chinese Paintings  

  1. Deer on the Mountain

Deer on the Mountain, also known as Running Deer, is an important painting in the history of Chinese painting by the Chinese artist Qi Baishi of the late Qing Dynasty. The painting inspired Qi Baishi’s saying “One who can understand the mountain can gain enormous benefit from it, and ultimately become a big fish in the great sea”.

This painting feature two deer running leisurely on the hillside and the rocks and trees around them seem to be in motion, exhibiting the masterful technique of traditional Chinese painting.

  1. Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival

Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival is a classic piece from the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) by the famous artist Zhang Zeduan. The painting is also referred to as The Qingming Scroll, The Festival of Pure Brightness, or The Along the River During Qingming Festival. The 1.5 meters long and 24.7 cm foldable painting is considered one of the most important works of Chinese arts.

The painting depicts life in the city of Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng) around the time of the Northern Song Dynasty. It includes hundreds of lively characters, boats, market stalls, animals and buildings, and gives a unique insight of the daily life of people back then.

  1. Along the River During the Qingming Festival

The Along the River During the Qingming Festival (Qingming Shanghe Tu) is a piece of hanging scroll from the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). The painting, attributed to Zhang Zeduan, the same artist for the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, illustrates a satire of the political and social situation of the early 12th century.

This painting is an iconic piece of Chinese culture with about 8,000 characters, numerous buildings, streets and boats in it, depicting a real-life version of Bianjing (Kaifeng City of China) from over a thousand years ago.

  1. Fishermen

Fishermen is a monumental landscape painting by Ren Yu (1545-1620) of the Ming Dynasty. The painting shows the distant Chinese landscape on a half-cloudy, half-sunny day with a dramatic sky in the background. It depicts a flock of fishermen on the shore, with a sea filled with countless trees, birds, animals and boats.

The painting emphasizes the beauty of Chinese landscape painting, with its layered effect. It is famous for its vividness and vividly conveys a sense of simplicity, solemnity, and spaciousness.

  1. Autumn Colours on the Qiao and Hua Mountains

This landscape masterpiece was painted by the Ming Dynasty’s Liang Kai (1244-1320). Autumn Colours on the Qiao and Hua Mountains shows a perfect balance between rustic beauty and natural simplicity. It’s a very sophisticated painting with lots of elements from ancient Chinese painting, such as empty space and extreme distance between composites.

The painting is characterized by a beautiful scenery of the mountain side with full autumn colours. The moody atmosphere and iconic visual style makes this painting remarkable and distinguish itself from other Chinese landscapes.

  1. Acquaintance

The Acquaintance is an illuminated handscroll from the Yuan Dynasty, attributed to the painter Qian Xuan (1235–1305). This painting is admired for its precise depictions of the facial features, hair, clothing and a feeling of friendship and compassion between the figures. The figures look directly at the viewer, inviting an intimate connection.

The painting features two friends, allegedly meeting after a long separation, allowing the viewers to share the warmth of their friendship. It has been praised for its exquisite composition, movement, drawing and colour.

  1. Eighteen Arhats

The Eighteen Arhats is a masterpiece from the Ming Dynasty attributed to the painter Zhao Boju (1473-1540). The painting thus depicts a gathering of 18 lohans, supposed to be enlightened beings who achieved nirvana, a religious state of gnosis, according to Buddhism.

The painting is highly regarded for its sophisticated depiction of characters with vivid facial features and gestures. Each character conveys an emotion, making the painting come to life.

  1. Orchid Pavilion Gathering

Orchid Pavilion Gathering is the famous painting attributed to the Chinese painter Shen Zhou (1427–1509), a prominent artist of the Ming Dynasty. The painting presents a gathering of scholars gathered around a stone table in a beautiful landscape. The scholars are drinking wine and talking about poetry, as seen by the open scroll laid on the table.

The painting is renowned for its rich symbolism and atmosphere of harmony. It’s known for its lyrical narrative of men and nature in perfect synergy.

  1. The Gentleman

The Gentleman is a world-renowned painting by the Chinese artist, Han Gan (708 – 784), during the Tang Dynasty. The painting is renowned for its infinitely prolific details and refined brush technique.

The painting depicts the legendary philosopher Confucius in the form of a Middle aged Scholar with his back to the viewer, gazing into the distant mountains, with flowing white beard and a large formal robe. The painting has been praised as a masterful example of expression in Chinese painting.

For centuries, Chinese paintings have represented Chinese artistic achievements, due to their powerful and unique aesthetic value. They represent the spirit, mood and style of the court life, and serve as a bridge to understand Chinese culture. The nine most famous Chinese paintings discussed in this article are a testament to the excellence and sophistication of Chinese visual arts.