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How are Chinese painting and Chinese calligraphy connected?

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Chinese sculpture during the Han dynasty examined — Chinese art A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary *China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art*.

In Chinese art, painting and Chinese calligraphy are deeply interconnected, sharing fundamental tools, aesthetic criteria, and philosophical foundations.

Shared Materials and Technique

Both disciplines utilize the same essential materials: a brush, ink, and a surface of silk or paper. Because these surfaces are absorbent and do not allow for erasure or correction, both the painter and the calligrapher must possess high levels of technical mastery, confidence, and speed.123

Aesthetic Criteria

Chinese painting is considered an essentially linear art, and it is judged by the same standards applied to calligraphy:
* Brushwork: The vitality and expressiveness of the individual brushstroke are paramount.13
* Rhythm: The harmonious rhythm of the overall composition is a primary focus for both artists and connoisseurs.13
* Inner Life: Rather than focusing on three-dimensional mass or perspective, both arts use the rhythmic movement of the brush to transmit an awareness of the inner life of the subject.13

Because calligraphy is regarded as the supreme visual art in China, it effectively sets the standard by which painting is evaluated.4