Wang Ximeng

Who they are

A prodigy of the Northern Song who, around the age of eighteen, painted the summit of Chinese landscape, A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains, then vanished from the record like a shooting star. This nearly twelve-metre handscroll depicts a thousand li of splendid rivers and mountains in azurite and malachite green, magnificent in scope and dazzling in color, still fresh after nearly a thousand years. To be immortal on one painting — he is one of the most mysterious geniuses in the history of Chinese art.

Key stories

A Thousand Li of Landscape at Eighteen

A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains is said to have been completed by Wang Ximeng in one breath within about half a year, around the age of eighteen, under the personal guidance of Emperor Huizong of Song. The scroll spreads range upon range of peaks and vast rivers, dotted with fishing villages, pavilions, and travelers. A youth compressed the splendid rivers and mountains of a whole nation into one length of silk — and then vanished forever from history.

Relationships

Echoes today

Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.