Silk painting is an ancient art form in China. It originated in the Warring States Period (476-221 BC) and reached its artistic peak in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD25).
Over a long period, plain silk, together with bamboo and wood slips were the material for writing or painting on. Compared with others, silk has its own advantages, such as light, easily to be cut in desired shapes and sizes, convenient to be kept and carried, etc. However, due to its high cost, it was only popular among the noble status.
The earliest extant silk painting is Lady, Dragon and Phoenix Painting, which was unearthed in Changsha city, Hunan Province. It was used at funerals to lead the dead to heaven. Among all the remaining paintings, the most representative one is the silk painting unearthed in the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tomb in Changsha City. The painting contains three parts: the Heaven, World and Hell.
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