Paper Cut in China -Facial Makeup of Peking Opera
25 x 26 cm, 20 pages, deluxe edition, 550g
8 real handicrafts of paper cut attached

Paper Cut

Papercut is a picture cut out on a paper with scissors. The picture patterns are often pasted on the lintels, windows, or lanterns to express the feelings of joy and the perceptions in life. Hence the scissors-cut is also known as "scissors-picture" or "papercut for window decoration".

The art of papercut may be traced back to a period as early as the ancient South and North Dynasties. It appeared at the same time of discovery of Chinese papermaking and is still prosperous across China. The papercut of the south is delicate and beautiful, and those of the north are robust and energetic. The papercut art has become one of the magnificent and beautiful flowers in the Chinese national artistic treasures.

Facial Makeup of Peking Opera

The facial makeup of Peking Opera, as a way of facial dressing for different roles in the opera. varies greatly from role to role. The facial makeup is made though exaggerating or specially designing the facial expression of the actor or actress according to conceptualized understanding of the role in the opera. The facial makeup is usually consistent with the design of the dresses that the actor or actress wears and the traditional style of performance. In sum, the facial makeup becomes an indispensable tool to beautify the stage and add to the atmosphere of performance. The use of color and the pictorial design for the facial makeup are determined by the status, characteristics and facial features and other traits of the role in the drama. Each color used for facial makeup, such as red, yellow, blue, white, black, golden and silver, has its own special symbolic meaning. The pictorial design and decoration are a demonstration of internal world and the outer features of the role in the drama. Embodied with cultural richness and depth, the facial makeup is splendidly and shiningly attractive and has everlasting charms.

The paper cut is one of the magnificent traditional arts and crafts in China. The paper cut with the facial makeup of the Peking Opera may be the best of the best. The splendid facial makeup and dresses in the drama are unique craftsmanship of carving and styling and particular color to play up the artistic atmosphere. So the paper cut with facial makeup has its unique and invaluable beauty.


Handcraft of Paper Cut: Facial Makeup of Zhang Fei