A CHINESE SONG-STYLE SCROLL PAINTING AFTER LIN CHUN

LATE QING DYNASTY

Depicting a raptor above a rabbit and a melon vine, inscribed in seal script chun xi shu yuan dai zhao lin chun (Lin Chun, Painter in Waiting at the Chunxi Painting Academy), and with seven red seal marks, 137cm x 56cm.

The Chunxi reign covers the period 1174-1189 during the Southern Song dynasty. The inscription is not a signature, but rather is intended to identify the source of the composition. Seal script was often used in such circumstances. Lin Chun, a native of Hangzhou, specialised in flower and bird subjects, including a handscroll of plants of the four seasons, dated 1178. He was rewarded with a golden belt.