The History of Traditional Chinese Craft Paintings
Chinese Paintings
The concept of export paintings first originated in the 17th century when they appeared as a unique painting genre integrating both Chinese and Western features. To cater to the craze for the “Chinese interest” in western society at the time, Chinese painters used Western pigments (oil, watercolor, and gouache) and brushes to create countless pieces of Chinese-style images in Chinese and Western realistic techniques (such as scenography and light and dark tones in western paintings and traditional Chinese fine brush paintings), which were then sold to foreigners traveling to China.
The Place Where Products Are Made
Changshu Painting Academy
In the 1970s, another form of “export paintings” emerged – large quantities of traditional Chinese paintings were sold to foreign countries to earn foreign exchanges much needed at the time by China.
Changshu Painting Academy, located in Suzhou, undertook the mission of producing crafts of traditional Chinese paintings. While engaging themselves in the production and creation of craft paintings, painters did not give up their pursuit of artistic creation. It was also in this sense that these silk paintings were differentiated from ordinary crafts. In the early 21st century, the academy was dissolved as its buildings were dismantled in an urban renewal project.
About Us
Reverve
The works of these paintings did not disappear with the collapses of the buildings. Instead, we have preserved these works. Over recent years, we have attempted to bring the crafts of traditional Chinese culture, which are stunning examples of non-kitsch, to people interested in Chinese culture around the world. Additionally, we have also tried to distill new verve to these traditional aesthetic cultures through efforts like matching with frames in modern design and home furnishings.
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