Ancient Chinese art reveals a country with a long history. Like many of its European counterparts, the art of China progressed from stone pottery with geometric designs to the priceless vases of the Ming Dynasty. In between, archeological finds like the great terracotta army reveal that the early Chinese artists developed an understanding of the human form as well as nature.
The Stone Age
Like many primitive civilizations, early Chinese art began in the Stone Age with sculpture from Ban'po, China, according to "History for Kids." The estimated date on this was about 4,000 years ago. The early pottery consisted of red-colored jars and bowls and was formed without a potter's wheel. Some of the pieces featured geometric shapes.
The Bronze Age
Toward the second millennium, according to Lois Fichner-Rathus in "Understanding Art," the Chinese learned how to make vessels of bronze, most notably jars and plaques. The time period was 1766 to 1122 B.C.E. and was known as the Shang Dynasty. The ancient Chinese made these works of art for their gods. The works showed a high quality of craftsmanship. Early artisans made them using the lost wax technique and decorated them with mythical creatures, animals, faces and abstract designs. Writing began to appear on these vessels in the latter stages of the Shang Dynasty.
Feudal China
The art of this age---the Late Chou Dynasty---revealed the influence of Confucianism, according to Fichner-Rathus. The art during this period featured royal metalworks. Inlays of gold and silver were common as were polished mirrors. The dead had carvings featuring jade buried with them. Additionally, Chinese paintings and reliefs from this time portray conceptual space like the Egyptians did. This space was conceptualized by the artist and did not reveal actual perspective.
Buddhism and Confucianism
Buddhist missionaries from India brought Indian culture and religion to China. Chinese artwork from this time period reveals the influence of these travelers. This lasted until the 6th century. Artists also began creating landscape paintings during this time, which revealed mythical realms and imaginary landscapes. Although Chinese paintings reveal that early Chinese artists understood perspective, they used perspective in a different way than Western artists did. Most notably, their landscapes featured no single vanishing point.
The Natural World
According to Fichner-Rathus, Chinese art reveals a deep appreciation for the natural world. Human beings are portrayed in this art in balance, meaning that they are neither nature's rulers nor its victim. Much of the painting during this time features subjects found in nature like bamboo leaves painted with calligraphic ink.
