Banhua
Encyclopedia
Banhua is the Chinese umbrella term for any printed
art objects, and especially for those made by woodblock printing
, the term used for woodcut
s from Asia.
The direct translation of 'Banhua' is 'printed picture', it is a general term for original prints or printmaking as an art form. 'Banhua' is composed of two characters: 'ban' (Chinese: 版) meaning 'block' and 'hua' (Chinese: 画)meaning 'picture'. Banhua's meaning does not limited in prints in Chinese style.
As printing
first appeared in 3rd century China, artists started to use woodblock printing
or other methods to spread their works. Buddhist classics, novel illustrations, and the banknote
were among the first public works to be printed in China.
From the 17th century, prints of New Year picture
s became popular.
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
art objects, and especially for those made by woodblock printing
Woodblock printing
Woodblock printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later paper....
, the term used for woodcut
Woodcut
Woodcut—occasionally known as xylography—is a relief printing artistic technique in printmaking in which an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed, typically with gouges...
s from Asia.
History
As printing
Printing
Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....
first appeared in 3rd century China, artists started to use woodblock printing
Woodblock printing
Woodblock printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later paper....
or other methods to spread their works. Buddhist classics, novel illustrations, and the banknote
Banknote
A banknote is a kind of negotiable instrument, a promissory note made by a bank payable to the bearer on demand, used as money, and in many jurisdictions is legal tender. In addition to coins, banknotes make up the cash or bearer forms of all modern fiat money...
were among the first public works to be printed in China.
From the 17th century, prints of New Year picture
New Year picture
A New Year picture , is an important and popular Banhua in China. It is a form of Chinese coloured woodblock printing, for decoration during the Chinese New Year Holiday.- Background :...
s became popular.