Marie's
Time-Honored BrandMarie's · Shanghai · Founded 1919
Marie's is China's earliest art materials brand, pioneering the domestic pigment industry and witnessing a century of Chinese art education. Founded in Shanghai in 1919, it broke foreign monopolies and has been trusted by generations of artists, from masters like Xu Beihong to today's students and professionals.
Brand Story
Marie's originated in early 20th-century Shanghai. In 1919, amid the May Fourth Movement's call for domestic goods, educator and painter Zhang Yuguang, together with partner Hong Jitang, founded Marie's Craft Society to produce Chinese-made art pigments and break foreign dominance. Zhang, who had served as principal of Shanghai Art College, was driven by the high cost and unstable supply of imported paints. The name 'Marie's' (Mali) symbolized 'immediate success and benefiting the nation and its people.' Initially producing watercolors and oil paints, the brand quickly gained recognition for its quality and fair prices. By the 1920s, its products reached Southeast Asia, becoming a favorite among overseas Chinese artists. In the 1930s, the company was restructured into a limited company with advanced equipment. During the War of Resistance, it relocated to Chongqing, sustaining production to support art education. After 1949, it continued as a public-private enterprise. Marie's not only supplied materials but also contributed to China's modern art education system; masters like Xu Beihong and Liu Haisu used its pigments.
“Marie's, the pioneer of Chinese art pigments”
Signature Products
Classic watercolors with vibrant colors and good transparency, suitable for students and professionals. (20-100 RMB)
Fine texture, saturated colors, and strong lightfastness, providing stable support for oil painting. (30-200 RMB)
Traditional mineral pigments with subdued, durable colors, used for Chinese painting. (15-80 RMB)
Stores & Addresses
Located in: Shanghai（上海）
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Cultural Note
Marie's Craft Society was China's first national pigment enterprise, and its history mirrors the development of the Chinese art pigment industry. The brand preserves traditional pigment techniques while integrating modern chemistry to develop products suited to Chinese painting, oil painting, and other genres. Its craftsmanship emphasizes fine grinding of pigments and precise binder ratios to ensure stability. Marie's pigments have witnessed the fusion of Chinese and Western art, providing the material foundation for modern Chinese art education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "China Time-Honored Brand" (中华老字号)?
A China Time-Honored Brand is a designation by China’s Ministry of Commerce for brands with a long history that inherit products, craftsmanship or services across generations and have operated continuously to the present.
When was Marie's founded?
Marie's was founded in 1919, originating in Shanghai, Shanghai, primarily in the Crafts field.
What is the signature product of Marie's?
Its signature product is Marie's Watercolor Pigments. See the "Signature / Buy Online" section on this page for more products and shopping links.
Where can I find the official list of China Time-Honored Brands?
You can log into the MOFCOM "China Time-Honored Brand Information Management System", or browse this site’s brand directory — we have profiled 1,451 time-honored brands.
Sources / References
Brand fundamentals (founding year, heritage level, recognition batch) follow official sources such as the MOFCOM time-honored brand list. Story and encyclopedia: