Artwork
The Knickknack Peddler
The Knickknack Peddler is an unspecified painting by the Song dynasty painting artist Li Song. It dates from 1212 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1963.582
- Credit line
- Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund
About this work
This painting is one of the few surviving works from the Southern Song dynasty that shows everyday life instead of landscapes.
You see a street peddler in a long robe, his tray of tiny toys and trinkets tipped sideways. A snake slithers across the ground while three kids attack it with sticks and stones. The peddler runs toward them, hands outstretched, leaving his goods behind.
This painting is one of the few surviving works from the Southern Song dynasty that shows everyday life instead of landscapes. The drama around the children might quietly hint at the emperor’s grief, he lost nine sons young.
To see more of this quiet, detailed style, look up Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279).
Overview
The Knickknack Peddler is a painting by Li Song, a court artist from Hangzhou, created during the Southern Song dynasty.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a peddler, his tray of goods askew, rushing to intervene as children attack a snake with sticks and stones. The drama may allude to the personal tragedy of Emperor Ningzong, who lost nine sons at a young age.
Technique & Style
Characterized by meticulous detail, the painting exemplifies Li Song's skill in capturing everyday life, particularly scenes involving children and vendors. It showcases a quiet, detailed style typical of the Southern Song dynasty.
History & Provenance
Painted during the reign of Emperor Ningzong, The Knickknack Peddler is one of the few surviving works from the Southern Song dynasty that focuses on everyday life rather than landscapes.
Artist & collection
