Chinese Paintings

As one of the major art forms with continuous artistic traditions in the world, Chinese paintings reflect a close relationship to the ideals associated with Buddhism and Taoism of total concentration in the present and harmony with nature. The use of brush and water-based color on paper and silk to create images, most often Chinese landscapes, have defined the character of Chinese paintings over the centuries. The carefully curated Chinese paintings for sale at the Bidsquare Asian Works of Art auction presents high-quality works spanning centuries and encompassing a variety of styles, attracting global museums and private collectors alike.

Traditional Chinese Paintings

Chinese paintings do not only attempt to capture the outer appearance of a subject but also its essence as well - nature and character. The paintings reflect two major traditions - the Meticulous Style - Gong-bi (also court tradition), characterized by its typical incorporation of delicate chinese calligraphy strokes and close attention to detail, and the Freehand Style (Shui-mo) with its emphasis on the essence of a subject rather than its appearance.

In terms of the theme, Chinese paintings embody the depiction of human figures, landscapes, birds, and flowers. It was during the Tang Dynasty that figure paintings became highly developed, while landscape painting reached its peak during the Song Dynasty. The exposure of Western art to Chinese painters during the 19th and 20th centuries led to the creation of a new style that is an amalgamation of traditional Chinese painting with Western impressionism and perspective. The aesthetics of paintings and calligraphy have contributed significantly to the flowing lines and linear designs in creating paintings, in which both the art form and the spirit of the object get equal importance.

Characteristics of Chinese Painting

In contrast to Western art, there is more emphasis on water-based techniques than oils or acrylics in Chinese painting, and similar to calligraphy it was done with a brush dipped in black or colored ink, typically on paper or silk. The completed artwork was mounted as hanging scrolls or handscrolls to be passed to later generations.

Covering centuries of Chinese history, the vintage and antique Chinese paintings for sale at Bidsquare online auctions feature a diverse range of subject matter including exquisite landscapes, bird-and-flowers, figures, and calligraphic works, offering collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to enrich their collection of these timeless artworks.

Quick Facts about Chinese Paintings

  • The painting was often inspired by poetry and combined with calligraphy.
  • Many paintings have been preserved in tombs of emperors and other important people.
5201 Results
Sort by
  • Group of Four Chinese Erotic Paintings
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Group of Four Chinese Erotic Paintings

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
    STAIR
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • 12 CHINESE QING DYNASTY WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS PITH RICE ALBUM 1850
    Price$475

    12 CHINESE QING DYNASTY WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS PITH RICE ...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $475
  • Chinese Scroll Painting
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Chinese Scroll Painting

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Chinese Export Oil Nautical Coastal Painting
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Chinese Export Oil Nautical Coastal Painting

    Est.
    $600 - $900
  • Kee Fung Ng (B. 1941) Chinese American, O/C
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Kee Fung Ng (B. 1941) Chinese American, O/C

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Chinese Famille Rose Plaque
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Famille Rose Plaque

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Vintage Chinese Watercolor Wild Horses / Landscape
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    Vintage Chinese Watercolor Wild Horses / Landscape

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • CHINESE FIGURAL PAINTED WALL-HANGING WOOD PANEL
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    CHINESE FIGURAL PAINTED WALL-HANGING WOOD PANEL

    Est.
    $150 - $250
  • Elbridge Ayer Burbank (1858-1949) Pencil Drawing "Chinese Grocery Store Chinatown S.F. Calif" 1931
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    Elbridge Ayer Burbank (1858-1949) Pencil Drawing "Chine...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Two Chinese Paintings
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    Two Chinese Paintings

    Est.
    $150 - $250
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Chinese Paintings
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Chinese Paintings

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $5,000

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $2,000 - $5,000
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $7,000

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $3,000 - $7,000
  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • THREE CHINESE PAINTINGS
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    THREE CHINESE PAINTINGS

    Est.
    $150 - $250
  • A Framed Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    A Framed Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • A Framed Chinese Painting
    Price$33,000

    A Framed Chinese Painting

  • Chinese Framed Painting
    Price$384

    Chinese Framed Painting

  • Chinese Embroidery Painting
    Price$128

    Chinese Embroidery Painting

  • A Chinese Painting Album
    Price$256

    A Chinese Painting Album

  • A Framed Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    A Framed Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Chinese Scroll Painting
    Price$640

    Chinese Scroll Painting

  • Chinese Framed Painting
    Price$256

    Chinese Framed Painting

  • A Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,500

    A Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $1,500
  • A Framed Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    A Framed Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Chinese Framed Painting
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000

    Chinese Framed Painting

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
  • Chinese Painting on Silk of Peacocks
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Chinese Painting on Silk of Peacocks

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • A Framed Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    A Framed Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Chinese Painting
    Estimate
    $7,000 - $14,000

    Chinese Painting

    Est.
    $7,000 - $14,000
  • A Chinese Painting Album
    Estimate
    $3,200 - $5,400

    A Chinese Painting Album

    Est.
    $3,200 - $5,400
  • Chinese Scroll Painting
    Price$640

    Chinese Scroll Painting

  • Chinese Scroll Painting
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    Chinese Scroll Painting

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • Chinese Scroll Painting
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Chinese Scroll Painting

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Chinese Framed Painting
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Chinese Framed Painting

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • A Chinese Painting On Silk
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    A Chinese Painting On Silk

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Chinese Scroll Painting
    Estimate
    $500 - $800

    Chinese Scroll Painting

    Est.
    $500 - $800
  • A Chinese Painting by Shoucheng
    Estimate
    $100 - $500

    A Chinese Painting by Shoucheng

    Est.
    $100 - $500