Art History Timeline / Ancient Chinese Art
Ancient Chinese Art for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Over 3,000 years ago, Chinese artists cast beautiful bronze pots for special ceremonies. Later, painters used ink and soft brushes to paint mountains, bamboo, horses and birds on silk and paper. A painting often had a poem written right on it.
For teachers
Shang and Zhou dynasty ritual bronzes are among the earliest great Chinese art forms. Ink painting grew into a high art, especially landscape painting in the Song dynasty, and painting, poetry and calligraphy were seen as closely linked. Paintings were made as hanging scrolls, handscrolls and album leaves, often with seals and inscriptions added by artists and owners.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Black ink with light washes of colour
- Tall mountains, mist, water and tiny travellers
- Writing and red seal stamps on the painting
- Long scrolls that unroll
Meet the artists
Han Gan
active about 742 to 756
He was famous for painting the emperor's horses. His painting Night-Shining White is at The Met.
Fan Kuan
active about 960 to 1030
He painted huge mountains with tiny travellers at the bottom to show how big nature is.
Guan Daosheng
1262 to 1319
She was a painter, poet and calligrapher known for her paintings of bamboo.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
Try it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Paint a mountain in just black ink or watered-down black paint. Use dark lines for the close rocks and pale grey for the mountains far away. Leave white paper for mist, then add a tiny person and a short line of writing about your picture.
Ms Artastic lessons
Ready-to-teach lessons that connect to this part of the timeline.
Questions teachers and parents ask
What is ancient Chinese art and painting?
Over 3,000 years ago, Chinese artists cast beautiful bronze pots for special ceremonies. Later, painters used ink and soft brushes to paint mountains, bamboo, horses and birds on silk and paper. A painting often had a poem written right on it.
What time period is ancient Chinese art and painting from?
Time period: About 1600 BCE to 1912. Where: China.
Who are some famous artists of ancient Chinese art and painting?
Han Gan (active about 742 to 756), Fan Kuan (active about 960 to 1030) and Guan Daosheng (1262 to 1319).
What is an easy art project for kids about ancient Chinese art and painting?
Paint a mountain in just black ink or watered-down black paint. Use dark lines for the close rocks and pale grey for the mountains far away. Leave white paper for mist, then add a tiny person and a short line of writing about your picture.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
Chinese art video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
🎬 Video lessons
Teach it with a video lesson
Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and the printable lesson plan.
