Rong Bao Zhai ——A Shop Making Reproductions of Chinese Paintings.Rong Bao Zhai, a special shop in Beijing making reproductions of Chinese paintings, is situated at No. 19 Liulichang West St. in the Xuanwu District of Beijing. It plays a leading role in the field of watercolor block printing, a type of block printing employed to reproduce famous works of painting and calligraphy. Rong Bao Zhai has staff with rich experience and capable of superb craftsmanship, and the shop has reproduced the works of many noted artists. A prominent example produced by the shop in recent years is the celebrated horizontal scroll “Han Xizai’ Evening Party” by the 10th century artist Gu Hongzhong.

According to historical records, the earliest block printing in China was during the Sui Dynasty. Rong Bao Zhai started block printing in 1896, producing numerous extraordinarily beautiful copies of poems and letterheads. During the period of the Republic of China (PRC), Rong Bao Zhai reproduced Shi Zhu Zhai Jian Pu (10 Penny Studio Spectrum), which developed his color printing skills. After 1949, Rong Bao Zhai exceeded in producing small copies of poems and letterheads and could vividly reproduce large pieces of art. This marked the climax of the development of block printing.

Rong Bao Zhai has inherited Chinese traditional block printing skill and has enhanced it onto a higher level. As an intangible heritage of China, it should be properly preserved and passed down from one generation to another. Today, there are very few people interested in learning this skill, and at the same time the high price keeps the art form from maintaining a large market. This art form needs to be protected if it is to survive in today’s world.