Wuhu Iron Picture Forging Technique

Wuhu Iron Pictures, also known as iron paintings, are a distinctive art form that uses iron as ink and the hammer as a brush. Originating in Wuhu, Anhui Province during the early Qing Dynasty (over 340 years ago), the craft developed thanks to the city’s long tradition of fine ironwork, often described as “the place where iron becomes steel.”

Historical records tell of blacksmith Tang Peng, inspired by the ink paintings of artist Xiao Yuncong, who developed the technique of shaping iron into expressive landscapes. Blending the composition of traditional Chinese painting with the three-dimensional quality of sculpture, each piece is entirely handcrafted through forging, welding, filing, and chiseling, transforming rigid metal into flowing imagery that balances strength with delicacy.

Wuhu Iron Pictures have been exhibited internationally, including at the Paris World Expo and the Budapest Art Exhibition, earning widespread acclaim. Today, the craft has evolved beyond traditional screens and murals to include three-dimensional iron sculptures, gold-plated works, and iron-on-porcelain pieces, forming diverse collections for decoration and gifting.

More than just decorative objects, Wuhu Iron Pictures represent a perfect fusion of Chinese artistic spirit and metal craftsmanship, often hailed as a unique treasure of Chinese art.