Chinese art, like Chinese literature, goes back many centuries. Early themes were developed from religious and supernatural beliefs or from the natural environment and landscape.

Bathing HorsesbyZhao Mengfu

Chinese paintingis rooted in the decorative striations or patterns on prehistoric pottery. Archeologists call the ancient Chinese vessels with their beautiful markingspainted pottery. Chinese paintings are generally placed in one of four categories: Religious, Portraits, Landscapes, or Flora and Fauna. Religious paintings usually represent Buddhas and Taos Gods. Portraits depict courtesans, emperors, and villages from the past. Landscapes and Flora and Fauna paintings portray the central place of nature in Chinese thought.

Terracotta Statues