Song Dynasty China

960–1279 CE

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

A period in Chinese history characterized by technological and cultural innovations, including gunpowder, the compass, and movable-type printing. Founded by Emperor Taizu, it was divided into the Northern and Southern Song periods.

Northern Song

Southern Song

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

Two finches rest on a stalk of bamboo in a painting

Emperor Huizong’s Finches and Bamboo from the early 12th century is an example of bird-and-flower genre painting.

Learn more about bird-and-flower painting

Important terms and concepts

Daoism

Ink Painting

Hanging scroll

Northern Song Dynasty

Emperor Huizong

Bird-and-flower painting

Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279 CE)

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

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