Along the River During the Qingming Festival Size: 24cm*260cm Material: Art paper Style: Chinese scroll "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (?????, Q?ngmíng Shànghé Tú) is a renowned masterpiece of Chinese painting created by the Northern Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan (1085–1145). This iconic handscroll, painted in the 12th century, captures the bustling urban life and vivid scenery of Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), the capital of the Song Dynasty, during the Qingming Festival. Key Features: Detailed Panorama: The scroll stretches over 5 meters long, depicting hundreds of people, boats, bridges, and shops with intricate precision. It offers a lively snapshot of daily life—merchants trading, travelers crossing the Rainbow Bridge, and peasants laboring in the countryside. Historical Significance: Beyond its artistic brilliance, the painting serves as a valuable historical record of Song Dynasty architecture, commerce, and social customs. Symbolism: While traditionally linked to the Qingming Festival (a time for tomb-sweeping), scholars debate whether it represents springtime prosperity or subtle critiques of urban inequality. Legacy: Often called "China’s Mona Lisa," it is one of the most celebrated works in Chinese art history. Multiple later versions exist, including a famous imperial reproduction from the Qing Dynasty. The original is housed in the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing. This painting not only showcases Zhang Zeduan’s technical mastery but also immortalizes the vibrancy of ancient Chinese civilization.