1. Chinese Buddhist Painting
Lydia Tomasi

2. Background/ History
• Buddhism is a nontheistic religion which originated
in India in 5th century b.c.
– Life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
• Religious faith lead to artistic depictions of Buddhist
beliefs and Buddha himself
• Transition to China:
– The Silk Road, Buddhist missionary efforts
• Buddhism gained popularity in China as Chinese
artists were experimenting with paint and scrolls

3. Origins in China
• Earliest recorded works—created in the Han
dynasty during the reign of Emperor Ming in
Eastern China
• These works were spread across the nation
and other artists began to create similar
paintings
• First representative artists included:
–Dai Kui, Gu Kaizhi, Cao Zhongda, and Zhang
Sengyao

4. Gu Kaizhi
• Known as the founder of traditional Chinese painting
• Incorporated the importance of nature and movement that is seen in the
Buddhist belief system
• Painted subjects as they truly were
• Nymph of the Luo River

5. Cao Buxing
• Lived in the Eastern Wu Dynasty (220-265 ad) under
the rule of Sun Quan
• Paintings are well known for depicting animals such
as dragons and horses as well as human portraits
• Highly realistic, paintings are said to have “come to
life”.
• There is a myth that he could paint the figure of
Buddha in exact proportions on a silk scroll without
a single mistake

6. Cao Buxing, third century AD

7. Zhang Sengyou
• Liang Southern Dynasty (505-557 AD)
• Highly praised for his art by emporer Liang Wu
• Most of his existing paintings are murals
similar to fresco
• Intelligent use of color and three dimensions
• Well known for depictions of powerful
animals, dragons, and peaceful human forms

8. Zhang Sengyou

9. Water Moon Style
• Zhou Fang
– Profound Chinese painter known for his court lady
paintings and depictions of Buddha
• Developed his own style for Buddha
paintings called water-moon (shuiyue)
• Known for it’s soft brush work and dignified
image
• Style used by following generations across
China and Korea

10. Water-moon
Abalokiteshvara,
Goryeo dynasty
(918-1392)
Unknown artist

11. Zhao Mengfu, Yuan Dynasty (1271-
1368)
Indian Monk in Red

12. Transition in Buddhist Painting
• Tang Dynasty (618-907) and earlier:
–Paintings follow ideas of the old rule
–More simple, singular figures
• After the Song Dynasty:
–Buddhist paintings become flourished and
colorful
–More experimental

13. Northern Song
Dynasty,
Late 10th/early 11th
century,
Ink on silk

14. Ding Yunpeng (1547-1628)
• Painter during the Ming Dynasty
• Followed the style of Qui Ying of the
Song Dynasty
–Used pure and minute brush strokes for a
strong look

15. Ding Yunpeng
(1547-1628)
Confucius,
Lao-tzu,
and
Buddhist
Arhat
Sweeping
the White
Elephant

16. Chinese-
Buddhist
Landscape
Paintings
Inquiring the
way, Chen
Jun, 1935
Scenery of Yandang
Mountain,
Qian Wiecheng of
Qing Dynasty

17. Buddhist Painting in the
Modern World
• Often more “trippy” than traditional
styles
• Use of more vibrant colors
• Idealization of Buddha
• Cartoon styles

18. Romio Shrestha,
1968
Li Lu,
1955
Mind Garden,
Sofan Chan, 2011

19. The End