Brief

Art and artists

Search the collection

Highlights from the collection

Latest arrivals

Brief History of Chinese Painting

Overview

Before 6th century

Before Sui dynasty (Before 581)

The Three Kingdoms period (220 – 280), Jin dynasty (226 - 420), and Northern and Southern dynasties (420 – 589) collectively represent the most turbulent era in China's history, spanning over 300 years.

6th -10th century

Sui dynasty (581-618) and Tang dynasty (581-907)

The Sui dynasty was a short-lived imperial dynasty of pivotal significance in Chinese history, while the ensuing Tang Dynasty is often regarded as a high point of Chinese civilization.

10th -13th century

Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms and Song dynasty (907-1279)

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-979) was a tumultuous era in Chinese history, while the Song dynasty (960-1127) is an extremely important and pivotal era in the history of Chinese art

13th -14th century

Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)

For nearly 100 years, China was under Mongolian rule, and this era saw the rise of literati painting.

14th -17th century

Ming dynasty (1368-1644)

The flourishing of literati painting and the decline of professional artists

17th -20th century

Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

In the Qing Dynasty, the trend continued from the Yuan and Ming periods, with literati painting increasingly dominating the art scene.