Along the River During the Qingming Festival

This is a copy of—or a variation upon—one of the most famous of all Chinese handscrolls; the original scroll was painted in 1120 and attributed to the artist Zhang Zeduan (active 12th century). Viewed from right to left, the painting depicts life along the Yellow River in the capital city of Kaifeng, possibly during the Qingming Festival. During the time of the Qingming Festival, which occurs in late March or early April, people visit their family graves.This copy of the scroll bears the signature of the artist Qiu Ying (1494–1552), who made a copy of the original scroll in the 16th century. However, Qiu himself was one of the most copied painters in Chinese history, and scholars believe the Walters’ scroll is a later copy by still another artist.

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Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Laurance and Isabel Roberts, New York, 1939, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1991, by gift.