As a form of the Chinese paintings, the New Year paintings serve as a unique Chinese artistic manifestation as well as a representative Chinese folk art. The Chinese New Year paintings depict what people have seen and heard, and wish for a bumper harvest of grain and a better life, which is a well-received art. It is mainly posted during the Chinese New Year to decorate the environment and create an atmosphere, containing the meaning of New Year’s greetings, auspiciousness and celebration.
The New Year paintings originated in the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) and have a history of more than 2,000 years. Traditional folk New Year paintings are mainly created by folk artists, reflecting people’s simple customs and beliefs. With the development of the times, more and more professional artists have joined the creative team of New Year paintings, depicting real life, enriching themes and developing new forms, and creating a number of New Year paintings that reflect the social features. New Year paintings depict the life scenarios, advocate new fashion, and introduce new aesthetic elements into the Chinese art.
The 100 New Year paintings on display demonstrate the beauty of Chinese culture from the aspects of China’s development and changes, traditional culture, rural scenery, rural revitalization, etc., aiming at sharing Chinese characteristic culture represented by New Year paintings with people from all over the world.