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Chinese Classical & Modern Drawings

Historically, Chinese drawing included both figural ink or watercolor sketches as well as calligraphic writings on paper. Similar to Chinese paintings, drawings are marked by dynamic use of line. Expression through penmanship, therefore, is elevated in Chinese culture to the ranks of high art forms like painting.

Chinese drawings, rather than merely depicting life by appearances, sought to capture expression and feeling by channeling it from the artist, through the brush, and onto paper. Understanding the spirit of the subject was more important than the physical resemblance. Calligraphy, with each word defined by its own unique drawing, became an important form of art with the emergence of written language in China, starting before 1500 B.C.


Quick Facts

  • The Chinese have long embraced drawing for its clarity, energy, and aesthetic form
  • In ancient China, calligraphy was viewed as a higher art form than painting until the Song Dynasty, when painting became closely associated with calligraphy
  • Chinese drawings originated first as ornamental decorations on everyday objects before becoming appreciated on their own

Recommended Items at Auction

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Attributed to Wu Changshuo, Chinese Calligraphy Ink on Paper Framed
Dec 16, 8:30 PM EST
Attributed to Wu Changshuo, Chinese Calligraphy Ink on Paper Framed
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $500- $1,000
$502 Bids
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PLANCHE À L'ENCRE ET COULEURS SUR SOIE, Chine, dynastie Qing, XIXe siècle
Dec 12, 2:00 PM CET
PLANCHE À L'ENCRE ET COULEURS SUR SOIE, Chine, dynastie Qing, XIXe siècle
by Artcurial
Est: €500- €700
€5001 Bid
In Style Of Su Hanchen Merchant And Children Ink On Silk
Dec 19, 12:00 PM EST
In Style Of Su Hanchen Merchant And Children Ink On Silk
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
FOLLOWER OF ZHANG DAQIAN 張大千 (1898-1983): 'LOTUS', INK AND COLOURS ON PAPER, DATED 1981
Dec 15, 9:30 AM CET
FOLLOWER OF ZHANG DAQIAN 張大千 (1898-1983): 'LOTUS', INK AND COLOURS ON PAPER, DATED 1981
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €800- €1,200
€6501 Bid
A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY SIGNED HONG YI
Dec 23, 9:30 AM EST
A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY SIGNED HONG YI
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$4001 Bid
A CHINESE MING DYNASTY STYLE INK AND COLOR ON SILK ROYAL DECREE.H676.
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
A CHINESE MING DYNASTY STYLE INK AND COLOR ON SILK ROYAL DECREE.H676.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $3,500- $8,000
$9501 Bid
SIGNED WU YING (1930- ). A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H288.
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
SIGNED WU YING (1930- ). A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H288.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,500- $3,000
$4501 Bid
DAQIAN(1899-1983).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H617.
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
DAQIAN(1899-1983).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H617.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$4501 Bid
SIGNED JIA GUANGJIAN (1964- ). A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H627.
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
SIGNED JIA GUANGJIAN (1964- ). A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H627.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$5001 Bid
(4) ATTRIBUTED AND SIGNED LIU XIANCHEN. A INK AND
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
(4) ATTRIBUTED AND SIGNED LIU XIANCHEN. A INK AND
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$9501 Bid
IGNED JIA XUANZHI. CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON PAPERPAINTING.H036.
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
IGNED JIA XUANZHI. CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON PAPERPAINTING.H036.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $800- $1,500
$2251 Bid
Chinese Calligraphy Couplets
Dec 21, 11:30 AM EST
Chinese Calligraphy Couplets
by Latair Auctions
Est: $2,000- $4,000
$1000 Bids
A Chinese Calligraphy By Ronghongjun
Dec 16, 9:30 AM EST
A Chinese Calligraphy By Ronghongjun
by Luban Antique
Est: $50- $200
$100 Bids
Ronghongjun Chinese Seal Cutting and Calligraphy
Dec 16, 9:30 AM EST
Ronghongjun Chinese Seal Cutting and Calligraphy
by Luban Antique
Est: $50- $200
$100 Bids
Yucheng Chinese Calligraphy
Dec 16, 9:30 AM EST
Yucheng Chinese Calligraphy
by Luban Antique
Est: $50- $100
$100 Bids
Chinese calligraphy - A Full Life BY Oi Yee Tai Canvas Reproduction
Dec 20, 9:00 PM EST
Chinese calligraphy - A Full Life BY Oi Yee Tai Canvas Reproduction
by Weatherham Estate Treasures
Est: $280- $350
$2300 Bids
CHEN XIUYU'S FLOWER PAPER CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET HARDBOUND AND MOUNTED
Dec 16, 3:00 PM PST
CHEN XIUYU'S FLOWER PAPER CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET HARDBOUND AND MOUNTED
by Mega International Auction
Est: $900- $1,500
$5500 Bids
QI GONG'S CALLIGRAPHY
Dec 16, 3:00 PM PST
QI GONG'S CALLIGRAPHY
by Mega International Auction
Est: $500- $700
$3000 Bids
QIGONG CALLIGRAPHY VERTICAL AXIS HARDBOUND MOUNTING
Dec 16, 3:00 PM PST
QIGONG CALLIGRAPHY VERTICAL AXIS HARDBOUND MOUNTING
by Mega International Auction
Est: $1,300- $1,800
$7500 Bids
HUANG BINHONG'S COUPLETS
Dec 16, 3:00 PM PST
HUANG BINHONG'S COUPLETS
by Mega International Auction
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,2000 Bids
CHINESE SCHOOL (20th century) "Allegory of music"
Dec 19, 5:00 PM CET
CHINESE SCHOOL (20th century) "Allegory of music"
by Ansorena
Est: €150- €200
€1000 Bids
LIU HAISU, ANCIENT PINE, INK EAGLE, VERTICAL AXIS FINE MOUNTED
Dec 16, 3:00 PM PST
LIU HAISU, ANCIENT PINE, INK EAGLE, VERTICAL AXIS FINE MOUNTED
by Mega International Auction
Est: $1,300- $1,800
$7500 Bids
Chinese Ink and Color On Paper
Dec 21, 11:30 AM EST
Chinese Ink and Color On Paper
by Latair Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$1000 Bids
WANG DUO'S OLD LINGBEN CALLIGRAPHY, VERTICAL AXIS PAINTING, HEART DAMAGED, HARDBOUND MOUNTED, GOOD PICTURE
Dec 16, 3:00 PM PST
WANG DUO'S OLD LINGBEN CALLIGRAPHY, VERTICAL AXIS PAINTING, HEART DAMAGED, HARDBOUND MOUNTED, GOOD PICTURE
by Mega International Auction
Est: $1,500- $2,200
$9000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Classical & Modern Drawings


Johhan Auction

Johhan Auction

Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.

Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Rob Michiels Auctions

Rob Michiels Auctions