Paintings in the Five Dynasties and Song Dynasty 907-1279
Traditional Chinese painting reached its height in the Five Dynasties and Song Dynasty. At that time， painting art became more mature， subject matters were more extensive， painting techniques turned more excellent and artistic schools were gradually formed. Especially， landscape painting experienced the most significant development. Jing Hao， Guan Tong， Dong Yuan and Ju Ran in the Five Dynasties， Li Cheng， Fan Kuan， Xu Daoning， Guo Xi， Hui Cong， Zhao Lingrang， Mi Fu， Mi Youren， Li Tang， Ma Yuan and Xia Gui in the Northern Song Dynasty were all representative landscapists. Flower-and-bird painting received a further boost. Xu Xi in the Five Dynasties， Huang Quan， Zhao Chang， Cui Bai， Zhao Ji（Emperor Huizong） and Liang Kai are typical painters. As emperor， Zhao Ji drew paintings and practiced calligraphy himself， and created an imperial art academy. In addition， imperial-court decorative painting appeared， with emphasis on drawing from life. Some artists were also keen on drawing bamboo and plum blossom in ink. Well-known works include Peace Reigns over River， Peddler， Jiggers Loading commodities， Drawings of Tilling and Weaving’ Children Play in Winter Solstice， Appreciating the Lanterns， Wenji’s Return to the Han， Picking Vetches and Gathering in the Western Garden. These artists， together with their paintings and styles， set good models for painters of later ages. Peace Reigns over River， as an immortal painting， exerts an important influence on the development of long scroll painting. The original great works from Jin to Tang dynasties are extinct since the Yuan Dynasty， but their styles can still be seen through copy works of Song Dynasty painters. It is just one of great contributions of Song artists.
