Mongolian painting

Historical and cultural monuments on and under the ground of central Asia are mirrors of the wisdom and rich cultural heritage of our ancestors. Rock and cave pictures found in Dundgobi, Uvurkhangai and Khovd aimags indicated that this art was flourishing in Mongolia at the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. The paintings of the 13th and 14th centuries reflect mainly the nomadic lifestyle, wars and nature, though portraiture began to flourish. Evidence of this is Chinggis Khaan's portrait, made in 1278 as ordered by Khubilai Khaan, and today kept in Taipei. From the 15th century, religion (especially yellow Lamaism) began to dominate painting.

Mongolian paintings began developing in the two major directions of iconography and genre painting, depicting simple life and ordinary people. B. Sharav (1869-1939) was a painter whose art linked the old and the new. The way of life is most famously depicted in his One Day In Mongolia. The new social system which emerged with the 1921 Revolution produced art dedicated to promoting that system. Mongolian artists became acquainted with European painting and began using both Mongolian and western styles.

In the 1950s, many genres of fine art, carpeting and porcelain were introduced, when a number of artists and architects became noted for their thematic work. They included painter O. Tsevegjav for his animals; U. Yadamsuren for workers; N. Chultem and G. Odon for history and everyday life; L. Gavaa for nature; and architect S. Choimbol for monuments. In the 1960s there was a great artistic change, as artists began to reject linear perspective and colour harmony and began to work with more modern styles, themes and content. Such notable art works include U. Yadamsuren's The Old Horse-fiddler; A. Sengetsokhio's The Mongol Lady; B. Avarzed's Uurgach; and Ts. Minjuur's Caravan Guide.

Painters L. Gavaa, O. Tsevegjav and Ts. Dorjpalam are well known not only in Mongolia, but also abroad. They contributed significantly to the creation of a new art based on tradition, and trained generations of gifted painters. At present, new and different artistic trends are emerging, and creative young painters like as S. Sarantsatsralt, Do. Bold, J. Munkhtsetseg and D. Tengisbold are developing modern Mongolian art.