Artwork
南宋 傳 李唐 晉文公復國圖 卷|Duke Wen of Jin Recovering His State
南宋 傳 李唐 晉文公復國圖 卷|Duke Wen of Jin Recovering His State is an ink painting by the Song dynasty painting artist Li Tang. It dates from 1150 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1973.120.2
- Credit line
- Ex coll.: C. C. Wang Family, Gift of The Dillon Fund, 1973
About this work
Subject & Meaning
In the composition a tiled building represents the reclaimed city, a saddled horse conveys martial vigor, and a standing man embodies the duke himself.
The handscroll illustrates the legendary episode of Duke Wen of Jin restoring his lost capital. In the composition a tiled building represents the reclaimed city, a saddled horse conveys martial vigor, and a standing man embodies the duke himself. As a history painting from 1150, the work uses these iconographic elements to narrate the political revival and legitimization of rule, reflecting Song‑era concerns with dynastic continuity.
The depiction aligns with the genre’s purpose of visual storytelling, where architecture, cavalry, and the central figure together symbolize the recovery of sovereignty.
Technique & Style
Attributed to the Southern Song painter Li Tang, the handscroll Duke Wen of Jin Recovering His State is executed in ink and color on a silk support. Created circa 1150, this history painting depicts narrative scenes involving men, horses, and architectural structures. The work is classified as a painting within the Chinese tradition, utilizing the handscroll format to present its sequential imagery.
While traditionally linked to Li Tang, the attribution remains a subject of scholarly discussion regarding the unidentified artist. The medium of ink and color on silk allows for the detailed rendering of the figures and settings that characterize this historical narrative. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This handscroll, attributed to the Southern Song artist Li Tang around 1150, is titled Duke Wen of Jin Recovering His State. Rendered in ink and color on silk, it functions as a history painting, illustrating a pivotal ancient Chinese narrative. The scroll unfolds a sequence of events, depicting various figures and architectural elements that bring the historical account to life for the viewer.
Artist & collection
