Chinese Arts --- I, II, III, IV, V, VI

Beginning in the Song Dynasty, a small number of artists began to write the names of the giver and recipient of the painting or to stamp their name chop, in an inconspicuous corner of the work. When "literati" painting was in vogue in the Yuan dynasty, men of letters began adding personal notes on the painting or related lines of poetry to display their prose and calligraphic skill. This writing was now given a more prominent place on the work. At this point there was a new union of signature, names of giver and receiver and notes on the painting or related verse with the painting itself.  The stamping of name chops also became established at this time.  The addition of name chop impressions, in itself an art, further enriched the artistic content of Chinese painting.