Art careers Art education Art explorations

Xiang Li’s Interpretive Paintings of Song Dynasty’s “Song Ren Ce Ye”

January 21, 2025 · Tripti Gore Chandorkar

Introduction

This past week, I once again had the privilege of visiting the studio of artist Xiang Li in Grafton, Massachusetts. The occasion was a private showing of a set of her paintings titled “宋人册页” (Sòng rén cè yè), an exquisite collection of classical Chinese paintings in the style of Song dynasty (960–1279) paintings on album leaves.

Xiang Li created these paintings over 30 years ago as part of her rigorous training in classical Chinese artistry under her teachers. She recently transported this series of paintings from China and has preserved them with utmost care.

Li and her daughter, Fei, graciously shared fascinating insights into her classical Chinese art training, which I have summarized below. This rich history provides a compelling backdrop to her expertise in the Sòng Rén Cè Yè style of painting. Li is part of an extraordinary artistic lineage, tracing back to masterful Chinese artists and calligraphers associated with the Palace Museum—commonly known as the Forbidden City—in Beijing, China. These revered artists specialize(d) in the meticulous recreation and reproduction of ancient Chinese artworks.

Translation (Title): The Palace Museum’s Lineage of Hand-Copying Techniques for Ancient Calligraphy and Painting

The first row has Li’s teachers name who are:

Jin Zhongyu (金仲鱼)
Chen Linzhai (陈林斋)
Feng Zhonglian (冯忠莲) – Ms. Feng was Xiang Li’s primary teacher.
Zheng Zhuyou (郑竹友)
Jin Jiaomin (金角民)

Beneath these masters are listed their students and later successors (in columns under each teacher’s name), showing how the Palace Museum’s traditional methods of hand-copying calligraphy and painting have been passed down through multiple generations.

Xiang Li’s Song Ren Ce Ye paintings

It’s important to note that these paintings you are witnessing are creative works of Xiang Li that are not copied from pre-existing “song ren ce ye” paintings. We will elaborate in a moment below as to why Li put in such effort to study and create these stunning original works of her own to preserve the art history from ten centuries ago.

As I reflect on these paintings now as I write this blog post, I realize that these pieces not only showcase Xiang Li’s mastery of this technique but also pay homage to one of the most celebrated eras in Chinese art history, the era of the Song dynasty art. This visit to her studio was a delightful experience that merged art, history, and storytelling. Below you will find some of the memories I captured from my visit.

The Beauty and Intimacy of the “Song Ren Ce Ye” Style of Painting

Characterized by small, intricate works designed for personal viewing, this format allowed artists to create detailed and intimate depictions of landscapes, flowers, birds, and human figures. Unlike large-scale wall scrolls meant for public display, album leaves were like a book of paintings that were treasures for private study and appreciation, often shared among scholars and collectors. You can read more about this Chinese art form on Wikipedia.

Xiang Li’s work in this series (examples below) captures the essence of this tradition beautifully. Her paintings are highly detailed on silk, with delicate brushwork that brings the people of the Song Dynasty era to life. Each piece is a window into the culture and traditions of the times. Her paintings depict tender moments of children and babies playing games, interacting with pets, reading, and other activities, as well as women of the household going about their domestic duties.

Song dynasty classical Chinese art by artist Xiang Li

Xiang Li’s Previous Work at the Palace Museum

When I was reviewing this blog post with my content partner Fei Wu (Xiang Li’s daughter), she was able to share the following letter and lineage map of Xiang Li and her teachers. I was beyond intrigued. They helped me further understand why Li is uniquely positioned when creating such intricate work.

This letter indicates Li’s professional work at the Palace Museum where she restored and reproduced a number of China’s most celebrated artwork with a focus on the Song dynasty paintings.

Song Dynasty style of painting was often chosen as the epitome of technique by art teachers to train their students to create classical Chinese art in the 1980s. This style of paintings is exceptionally difficult to reproduce due to its intricate techniques, philosophical depth, and use of rare materials. The meticulous “Gongbi” style, precise “iron-wire” brushwork, and layered mineral pigments demand unparalleled technical mastery and steady hands. These artworks often blend various styles, such as landscape, bird-and-flower, and figure painting, showcasing lifelike detail and dynamic compositions that require a deep understanding of both nature and anatomy.

Additionally, Song Dynasty art emphasizes “Yi Jing” (意境), the spirit or essence of the subject, which extends beyond mere physical representation. This requires the artist to embody the meditative and philosophical principles of the time, such as harmony with nature and balance. The unique materials like handmade silk and mineral pigments, along with complex techniques like boundary-painting and spatial perspective, further amplify the challenge. Recreating these masterpieces is not just a technical feat but an artistic and cultural journey that few can achieve.

The Legacy of Song Dynasty Art

Song Dynasty is often regarded as a golden age of Chinese art. As I have gathered from online knowledge sources, artists like Ma Yuan and Xia Gui elevated landscape painting with their lyrical and minimalist styles, while Emperor Huizong himself contributed to this legacy with his exquisite bird-and-flower paintings. The “Song Ren Ce Ye” format exemplified the intimate, scholarly culture of the period, fostering a deep connection between artist and viewer.

For those interested in exploring this rich artistic tradition further, resources like the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Song Dynasty works and insightful Wikipedia articles on artists such as Ma Yuan and Xia Gui provide excellent starting points. Here are a few links worth exploring:

After viewing these examples of artworks from the original Song Dynasty era (almost 1000 years ago) and Xiang Li’s set of Song Dynasty paintings, created and preserved from 40 years ago, it is clear that her expertise in this classical style is a testament to her deep understanding of Chinese art history and her dedication to preserving it for generations.

Bringing Xiang Li’s Song Dynasty Art to Modern Audiences

Xiang Li has made prints of her “Song Ren Ce Ye” series available for purchase on Etsy. For art lovers who wish to own a piece of this timeless tradition, these prints are an incredible opportunity. You can explore and purchase them through her online store at xiangliart.etsy.com.

For anyone passionate about classical Chinese art or simply curious to explore this unique genre, Xiang Li’s works are a must-see. Her dedication to this art form ensures that the beauty and sophistication of the Song Dynasty continue to inspire and delight audiences world wide today.