How to Mount Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
How to Mount Chinese Painting and Calligraphy: A Beginner's Guide
Mounting is an indispensable part of preserving and displaying Chinese painting and calligraphy. A well-mounted work not only looks elegant but also ensures the artwork can be passed down through generations. This article will introduce you to the basic knowledge.
I. Importance of Mounting
Unlike Western oil paintings, Chinese painting and calligraphy are created on absorbent Xuan paper or silk, materials that are soft and fragile. Mounting primarily serves three purposes:
- Protection: Backing paper or silk isolates the artwork from dust, moisture, and physical damage.
- Support: Mounting provides the necessary stiffness for the soft paper or silk to be hung or rolled.
- Display: Appropriate borders enhance the visual effect and add an aesthetic frame to the artwork.
II. Common Mounting Styles
| Style | Description | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging Scroll | Vertical format, with a wooden roller at the bottom and a wooden rod at the top. | The most traditional way to display on a wall. |
| Handscroll | Horizontal format, rolled from right to left, viewed on a table. | Long narrative paintings or collections of multiple works. |
| Album Leaf | Single pages bound into a book or folded. | Small works, sketches, or collections of multiple pieces. |