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Spring Outing Leads to Fantastic Journey

The origin of Chinese painting can be traced to the patterns carved or drawn on bronze and pottery. From the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), when paper was invented, Chinese painting started to develop into its present form.

Early paintings mainly recorded religion, for example the Buddha. When entering the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the trend turned towards landscapes. The following dynasties revealed different characteristics: flower-and-bird paintings in the Song; ink painting and figure paintings in the Yuan; court paintings in the Ming and a revival of landscape painting and the introduction of Western-style painting in the Qing.

Today, landscape painting is the mainstream, or leading school, of Chinese painting. It mainly focuses on natural scenery, dotted with human figures or various objects. Zhan Ziqian (circa 550-604), known as the Father of Tang Dynasty Landscapes, made a special contribution to the development of landscape painting. His landscapes demonstrate a good sense of perspective and convey vividly the vast extent and depth of nature.

Spring Outing, one of Zhan's best works, is the earliest scroll painting ever to have been found. It depicts the beauty of spring. Its main structure is the diagonal tranquil mountain and flowing river, creating a lively air that is strengthened by the dotted trees, the net-like surface of the water and the cloud. Figures in these natural surroundings, though small, are very conspicuous and indicate the theme of this scroll.

The painting carries inscriptions and stamps from different dynastic periods, recording a clear outline of its collection history. In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was taken out of the court by China s last emperor, Pu Yi, and then lost into private hands in North-east China.

Later it was discovered and purchased by an antique vendor and finally brought back to Beijing. When the painting reappeared at the famous antique street of Liulichang, it aroused great interest amongst private collectors. Famous collector Zhang Boju sold his family properties in Beijing and bought the painting for 5312.5 grams of gold. Later, he donated the painting to the state.