Printing was invented around 700 in China, the country with the longest continuous print history in the world. Color printing by pressing separately cut woodblocks for each color (the douban technique) on paper was likewise first developed in China.

Over the last five years, the Cleveland Museum of Art has acquired works by contemporary Chinese printmakers that are on display here for the first time. By bringing diversity in geography and gender to the museum’s prints and drawings collection, these artists demonstrate the exploration of the print medium in new ways and varied formats. This presentation focuses on the visual and atmospheric effects of light and water.