Zhao Boju (1120–1182) was a Chinese painter of the early Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Born in Hebei province, he painted landscapes, figures, flowers, fruit and birds.
His importance today rests largely on historical record, because none of his works survive. Some paintings have been wrongly or doubtfully attributed to him, and his output can only be reconstructed through the written descriptions left by the art critic Zhao Xigu. His legacy is therefore valued mainly as evidence of the painting of his time, rather than through specific works that can be examined today.
Works (1)
An ink and color painting on silk showing a landscape of rivers and mountains in autumn. Its very elongated horizontal format unrolls gradually, inviting the viewer to move across the scene from one end to the other. Ink and color on silk belongs to the traditional Chinese painting tradition, in which tones and transitions are built up with brushstrokes and washes on an absorbent support. The available information does not allow a more precise account of its context of creation.
Where to see the work
- The Palace Museum Beijing · 1