The art of Chinese painting, known as "Guóhuà" (国画) in Mandarin, represents one of the world's oldest continuous artistic traditions. When discussed in English contexts, it is often referred to as "Chinese painting" or "traditional Chinese brush painting." This art form distinguishes itself through its unique tools—ink brushes, rice paper, and ink sticks—and philosophical underpinnings rooted in Daoism and Confucianism.

A key characteristic of Chinese painting is its emphasis on harmony between humanity and nature. English-language scholarship frequently highlights the "Three Perfections": poetry, calligraphy, and painting combined in a single artwork. Landscape paintings ("Shānshuǐhuà") dominate Western collections, with artists like Fan Kuan (范宽) and Guo Xi (郭熙) becoming familiar names in international art history textbooks.

Western audiences often encounter Chinese painting through museum exhibitions bearing English titles like "Masterpieces of Chinese Ink Wash" or "The Literati Tradition." Technical terms such as "gongbi" (meticulous brushwork) and "xieyi" (freehand style) have entered English art vocabulary without direct translation. The British Museum's 2023 exhibition "China's Hidden Century" notably featured numerous painting scrolls with bilingual interpretations.

Contemporary discourse in English explores how Chinese painters like Xu Beihong (徐悲鸿) synthesized Eastern and Western techniques. Academic journals publish comparative studies with titles like "Chinese Ink Versus Western Oil: A Dialog of Mediums." Digital platforms now provide English explanations of classical works such as "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (清明上河图), making this art form more accessible globally.

The translation of seals and inscriptions remains a challenge for English-language exhibitions. Major auction houses like Sotheby's employ specialists to create English catalog entries that convey not just visual descriptions but cultural contexts. Recent PhD dissertations at Harvard and Oxford have examined the reception of Chinese painting in English-speaking art markets since the 18th century.