Calligraphy is the art of fine writing, and although there are five major styles of calligraphy, each is based on a standard set of 3000 characters (there are more than 40,000 characters overall), dating back to 213 B.C. All five styles of calligraphy have remained functional for thousands of years. Based on the similarities of tools, technique, and essence, the written art of calligraphy can easily be placed into the same art category as Chinese painting. The style of Chinese painting mirrors the fluidity of the written language. Both calligraphers and painters use a soft-bristle brush with a pointed tip and a cake of ink ground and mixed with various amounts of water depending on the desired degree of thickness and tone - less water produces a richer, glossier ink. Frequently, artists will combine the art forms, working calligraphic inscriptions into the composition of a painting (www.chinapage.com).

Covered Jar
early 20th century
Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) to
Republican period (1912 - 1949)
white and red glass
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of the Estate of Mr. Zachary Taylor.

Chinese painting has an inherent style based on a cultural appreciation of the natural world and of life's energies therein. Landscapes, for example, contain structural elements that reflect traditional Chinese philosophy: they are painted from a high perspective to reflect the magnificence of the natural world. If figures are present, they must be shown in an action insynch with the painting's mood. Houses, pavilions, or bridges must never overshadow the natural world; if a path is present, it must lead somewhere within the painting, showing life's direction; stones and rocks should have more than one face to portray the richness of life; and most landscapes contain both mountains and rivers, as mountains represent Yin and rivers represent Yang, symbols of life forces. The term "Shan Shui" refers to landscape paintings and is literally translated "mountain water" (Tzu-Jan).

Both Chinese painting and writing require much skill to achieve powerful yet controlled brushstrokes, depth and tonal variety, and an overall vigorous delicacy in presentation. Calligraphic inscriptions serve as an artist's statement about the piece, including the title, the artist's name, the date, often a thematic piece of poetry, or a description of the occasion for which the painting was created. Many paintings are finished with a calligraphic seal, printed on the paper or silk with red ink. This addition of bold red is referred to as "adding the eye of the dragon" (www.chinapage.com).

Meiping Vase
early 20th century
Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) to
Republican period (1912 - 1949)
white and green glass
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of the Estate of Mr. Zachary Taylor.
photo: Katherine Wetzel.

Vase
late 19th century
Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911)
white and blue glass
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of the Estate of Mr. Zachary Taylor.
photo: Katherine Wetzel.