Snowy landscape with rustic riverside retreat 1175 - 1199

This monumental handscroll by Liu Songnian, a leading figure in the Southern Song dynasty, depicts a winter scene of a rustic riverside retreat nestled amongst snow-covered mountains. The artist, known for his delicate brushwork and detailed depictions of nature, captures the serene beauty of a snowy landscape with incredible detail. The handscroll, spanning over 42 feet, provides a panoramic view of the wintry landscape, inviting the viewer to traverse the scene with their eyes, following the meandering path of the river and encountering various figures and structures along the way. It is a masterful example of the *shanshui* (mountain-water) genre of Chinese landscape painting, characterized by its focus on the harmony of nature and its ability to evoke tranquility and contemplation in the viewer.