Later Imperial China

Song dynasty through the Qing dynasty

960–1912 CE

Two traditional Asian hanging scroll paintings, each depicting a fish, displayed in a museum setting. The scrolls feature intricate patterns and aged textures.

A period marked by massive upheaval as well as cultural flourishing

Song dynasty
Ming dynasty
Yuan dynasty
Qing dynasty

Song Dynasty

960–1270 CE

Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 CE)

The Song court’s capital was at Bianjing (now Kaifeng).

Travelers pass amid mountains and streams in Fan Kuan's monumental ink landscape painting

Fan Kuan’s Travelers Among Mountains and Streams is a monumental ink painting dating to around 1000 CE.

Learn more about this landscape painting

Important terms and concepts

Daoism

Ink Painting

Hanging scroll

Northern Song Dynasty

Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279 CE)

The Song court’s capital was now at Lin’an (now Hangzhou).

Persimmons, attributed to Muqi (Chinese, active 13th century), Song dynasty, ink on paper, hanging scroll, made originally in China, Collection of Daitokuji Ryokoin Temple

In the 13th century, Chinese Chan (Zen) monk Muqi created this minimalist painting capturing the essence of six persimmons quickly and using very few brushstrokes.

Learn more about Muqi's Six Persimmons and Chan Buddhism

Important terms and concepts

Chan Buddhism

Mindfulness

Ink Painting

Southern Song Dynasty

Important Individuals and Artists

The Yuan Dynasty

"In the Works" text with classical art and architecture icons, green circles background

Ming Dynasty

1368–1644 CE

Traditional Chinese temple roof with ornate, colorful designs and intricate carvings under a blue sky.

Explore bracket sets in traditional Chinese timber architecture with the Gate of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, or Imperial City, of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors in Beijing, China.

Learn about bracket sets

Important terms and concepts

Traditional Chinese Architecture

Bracket Sets

The Forbidden City

Ming Dynasty

Qing Dynasty

Illustration with classical architecture motifs, including a column and bust, with the text "In The Works!" overlaid.

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