Along the River During the Qingming Festival

《清明上河图》（局部） 各色商铺

Various types of shops depicted in Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

Along the River During the Qingming Festival

Along the River During the Qingming Festival is the only painting masterpiece by Song-dynasty court painter Zhang Zeduan that has been preserved to this day. A long color scroll painting on silk, it depicts the prosperity of Bianliang, capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), as well as the lives of people from all walks of life at that time.

The painting consists of three sections which depict suburban landscapes, commercial activities on both sides of the Rainbow Bridge and the views of urban streets, respectively. The 5-meter- long scroll portrays 500-plus figures, more than 20 ships, as well as various vehicles, horses, houses, and bridges.

Upon viewing the painting carefully, one can see camel caravans transporting goods, busy wharves, shops packed with customers, and tall and magnificent city gates.

One of the most eye-catching sights is a cargo ship about to pass under the Rainbow Bridge, on which some boatmen are punting, some are pulling the towrope, and others are busy lowering the mast so that the ship can pass. Pedestrians on the bridge are sticking out their heads to shout at the sailors. The painter vividly portrayed the scenes and figures, composing a well-designed layout.

A realist painting masterpiece, Along the River During the Qingming Festival provides first-hand information on the commerce, handicrafts, folk customs, architecture, and transportation of the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, giving it high historical value. Its rich cultural connotation, unique aesthetic perspective, and realistic expression techniques have made it a classic in the art history of China and even the world.

《清明上河图》（局部）虹桥

The Rainbow Bridge depicted in Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

《清明上河图》（局部） 城门和商队

The city gate and merchant caravan depicted in Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

《清明上河图》

《清明上河图》是北宋宫廷画家张择端仅见的传世精品。绢本设色长卷，描绘了北宋都城汴京的繁盛面貌和各阶层人民的生活状态。

全卷分为城郊风景、虹桥两岸的商贸活动、市区街道景观三部分。长达5米的画卷里，绘制了各色人物500余人，船只20余艘，各种车马、房屋、桥梁等鳞次栉比，随处可见。

细看画面，可以看到运货的驼队、忙碌的码头、热闹的各色商铺、宏伟的城门。其中最精彩的一幕是虹桥下一艘货船正待过桥，船夫们有的撑船，有的拉纤绳，有的急忙放下桅杆，以便船只通过。桥上的行人也伸出头来，指挥着，吆喝着。作者将景色、人物刻画得生动逼真，画面布局错落有致。

《清明上河图》不仅仅是一件伟大的现实主义绘画艺术珍品，同时也为我们提供了北宋大都市的商业、手工业、民俗、建筑、交通工具等翔实形象的第一手资料，具有重要历史文献价值。其丰富的思想内涵、独特的审美视角、现实主义的表现手法，都使其在中国乃至世界绘画史上被奉为经典之作。