Oil painting, or 油画, is not indigenous to China. It is a Western art form that was introduced to China, most notably by Jesuit missionaries like Giuseppe Castiglione (郎世宁 - Láng Shìníng) in the 18th-century Qing court. The most important cultural comparison is between 油画 (yóuhuà) and 国画 (guóhuà), or traditional Chinese painting.
In the 20th century, many Chinese artists traveled to Europe to study oil painting and brought the techniques back. 油画 became a powerful tool for social realism and revolutionary art during the Mao era. Today, it is a dominant medium in the vibrant contemporary Chinese art scene, with artists blending Western techniques with Chinese themes and aesthetics. Understanding the term 油画 is key to appreciating this crucial aspect of modern Chinese cultural history.
油画 is a common, neutral term used in any context related to art. You'll hear it in museums, galleries, schools, and casual conversations.
The term is formal enough for academic discussion and informal enough for a chat with a friend. It carries no inherent positive or negative connotation; it is simply descriptive.