Archaeological sources prove that painting was practiced in early times. Wall paintings were painted often in the early period of history. Few examples of architecture and larger paintings remained intact over the centuries. Paintings were done on screens as well, making them portable walls. The Song dynasty created paintings in other more portable formats. The hanging scroll and the handscroll were collected and passed on to later generations. Detailing everyday life and social customs, these paintings may provide information unavailable from written texts. Paintings are interesting to us as well as historians, probably because we can imagine what life was life at that time.Paintings provide valuable insight into aesthetic values and tastes that would have lasting impact on future artists and connoisseurs.
Early mankind began painting their walls and advanced to portable formats. It is interesting that modern days we emulate things from history. Have you ever heard "history repeats itself"?
