Artists › Painters and Calligraphers
Yan Ciping
Southern Song painter of oxen and landscapes, son of the painter Yan Zhong, who followed the manner of Li Tang
A desk holds an unrolled sheet bearing three bold black ink strokes, with a rack of many brushes above it, a stone ink slab and ink stick, a porcelain bowl, a red lacquer box, a dish of red seal paste and a paperweight; a small seated figure shows through a round window onto bamboo.
Also known as Yan Ciping, Gentleman for Service
Yan Ciping was the son of the Southern Song painter Yan Zhong and carried on the family's craft. Early in the Longxing era, around 1163, he presented paintings to Emperor Xiaozong that pleased the throne and was given the low civil rank of jiangshilang. He was best known for oxen and also painted landscapes and figures, following the manner of Li Tang. The leaf Retreat Among Pine Steps in the album Collected Treasures of Famous Paintings in the National Palace Museum in Taipei is ascribed to him. Landscapes and herding scenes bearing his name in the Freer Gallery and elsewhere are generally treated as attributions, and secure works are few.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; active under Emperor Xiaozong (c. 1163-1181)