The Spring Outing

Uncover the beauty of The Spring Outing, attributed to Zhan Ziqian of the Sui Dynasty. This masterpiece portrays overlapping hills, towering peaks, and scattered tourists along mountain trails and riverbanks. The meticulous brushwork and balanced composition reflect the artist's dedication to vibrant colors and harmony. Historical records credit Li Sixun and his son Li Zhaodao for originating the technique of outlining green mountains and waters, which gained popularity after Empress Wu Zetian's reign. Witness the transition in court art during the late Tang Dynasty, where political paintings gave way to more "free and relaxed" non-political works.

Sui Dynasty (581-619) Zhan Ziqian (so said). Silk scroll, colored. 43cm*80.5cm. Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.

This piece is compiled from the Chinese edition of Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting by Foreign Languages Press and Yale University Press, translated by Chen Ying.