Reaching a zenith during the golden age of the Ching dynasty emperor Ch'ien Lung (1736-1796 A.D.), these colorful wood block prints began to decline in usage during the turbulent last years of the Ching and the early, formative period of the democratic republic.
也因如此，當人們欣賞到早期傳統木刻年畫，大多鍾愛不已。事實上，在當年心高氣傲的文人眼中，它們也是價廉物「俗」，村伕村婦的玩意兒。