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The Knickknack Peddler
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The court artist Li Song from Hangzhou excelled in meticulous depictions of children, peddlers, and their various goods. Here, he captures a dramatic scene of children attacking a snake with a stick and stone. The peddler rushes toward the children, leaving his merchandise unattended. Painted during the reign of emperor Ningzong, the drama unfolding around vulnerable children may allude to Ningzong’s nine sons who died young, leaving him without a direct male descendant.
| Artist / Maker | Li Song |
|---|---|
| Date | 1212 |
| Culture / Origin | China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) |
| Medium | Album leaf; ink and color on silk |
| Dimensions | Image: 24.1 x 26 cm (9 1/2 x 10 1/4 in.); with mat: 33.3 x 40.5 cm (13 1/8 x 15 15/16 in.) |
| Department | Chinese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Li Song (1656–1736) — Qing dynasty person CBDB = 56035.Disciplines: painter.Source: Wikidata (CC0) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
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