Below are four main forms of Chinese painting:
Hanging scroll is typically used for vertical compositions. Hung vertically, the painting is to be displayed and viewed for an extended period, it serves an decoration or seasonal and auspicious exhibit.
Handscroll is typically between 25 to 40 cm in height but may vary greatly in length; the famous painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival is 525cm long in length. Handscrolls offer an intimate viewing experience. They are designed to be unrolled horizontally, revealing one scene at a time as the scroll is unfurled from right to left. This gradual unveiling creates a sense of journey through the artwork's narrative or landscape.
Scenes along the Xiao and Xiang Rivers by Dong Yuan
Fan format – Chinese fans are often decorated with painting. Two types of fan are used: the first is nearly circular and made of stiffened silk mounted on a bamboo stick.
The second type is curved and folding, made of paper mounted between thin bamboo sticks. This folding type was introduced to Europe from China. Fan paintings were often created as gifts for a particular occasion and many are dated. Many also include calligraphic inscriptions from friends and comments on the painting.
Album leaves- Chinese painting albums usually consist of up to twelve folded pages, with wood or brocade-covered card covers. The albums are relatively small, up to 120 square cm, and often include paintings as well as calligraphy.
