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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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Compiled by Zhang Junheng (Qing Dynasty)
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
Compiled by Zhang Junheng (Qing Dynasty)
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$10,000- NT$15,000
NT$10,0001 Bid
SONGQUAN (1884-1961).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H612.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
SONGQUAN (1884-1961).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H612.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $2,500- $4,000
$7501 Bid
DAQIAN(1899-1983).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H617.
Feb 28, 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
IGNED ZHENG NAIGUANG (1911-2005).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H622.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
IGNED ZHENG NAIGUANG (1911-2005).A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H622.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$5001 Bid
SIGNED JIA GUANGJIAN (1964- ). A INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING. H627.
Feb 28, 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
Feb 28, 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
A INK AND COLOR ON HANGING PAINTING. H152.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
A INK AND COLOR ON HANGING PAINTING. H152.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$3501 Bid
A CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON SILK PAINTING.H044.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
A CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON SILK PAINTING.H044.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $500- $800
$2001 Bid
(4) ZHU XI DURING THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA.A SET OF FOUR CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
(4) ZHU XI DURING THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA.A SET OF FOUR CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON PAPER HANGING PAINTING.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $2,000- $4,500
$9501 Bid
ROYAL BATHING FIGURE.INK AND COLOR ON PAPER PAINTING.
Feb 28, 11:00 AM EST
ROYAL BATHING FIGURE.INK AND COLOR ON PAPER PAINTING.
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $500- $1,000
$2501 Bid
IGNED JIA XUANZHI. CHINESE INK AND COLOR ON PAPERPAINTING.H036.
Feb 28, 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
Lithographed edition of the Republic of China, edited by Liu Tizhi
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
Lithographed edition of the Republic of China, edited by Liu Tizhi
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$30,000- NT$50,000
NT$30,0001 Bid
SALIHE LI WEN CHAI (1935-2022): SINO-ARABIC COMPOSITION
Feb 20, 10:00 AM CET
SALIHE LI WEN CHAI (1935-2022): SINO-ARABIC COMPOSITION
by Nagel Auction
Est: €300- €500
€1501 Bid
A group of sparrows basking in the sun
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
A group of sparrows basking in the sun
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$10,000- NT$0
NT$10,0000 Bids
The duck knows first when the river water warms in spring
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
The duck knows first when the river water warms in spring
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$50,000- NT$80,000
NT$50,0000 Bids
landscape
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
landscape
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$100,000- NT$150,000
NT$100,0000 Bids
The Legend of the Eight Immortals
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
The Legend of the Eight Immortals
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$80,000- NT$120,000
NT$80,0000 Bids
Pair of ducks
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
Pair of ducks
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$80,000- NT$150,000
NT$80,0000 Bids
autumn harvest
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
autumn harvest
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$10,000- NT$0
NT$10,0000 Bids
flowers
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
flowers
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$15,000- NT$0
NT$15,0000 Bids
flowers
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
flowers
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$10,000- NT$0
NT$10,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Classical & Modern Drawings


Johhan Auction

Johhan Auction

Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.

Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.

Mega International Auction

Mega International Auction

Golden State Auction Gallery

Golden State Auction Gallery