Southern Song

Definition

The Southern Song refers to the period of the Song Dynasty in China from 1127 to 1279, characterized by a shift of the capital from Kaifeng to Hangzhou after the Jurchen invasions. This era is renowned for its advancements in art, culture, and commerce, particularly in painting, where genres such as landscape and bird-and-flower emerged as prominent forms of expression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Southern Song period, Hangzhou became a cultural and economic hub, attracting artists, scholars, and merchants.
2. Southern Song painting emphasized realism and poetic expression, with artists like Ma Yuan and Xia Gui becoming notable figures in landscape painting.
3. The bird-and-flower genre was not only an artistic pursuit but also represented scholarly values and a connection to nature.
4. Trade expanded significantly during this time, aided by innovations such as the use of paper money and improved transportation networks.
5. The Southern Song era is often seen as a golden age for Chinese art, particularly due to its influence on later generations of painters.

Review Questions

• How did the shift from Northern Song to Southern Song influence artistic developments in painting?
  • The shift from Northern Song to Southern Song marked a transformation in artistic expression, particularly in painting. After relocating to Hangzhou, artists began to focus on capturing the subtleties of nature through landscapes and bird-and-flower genres. The Southern Song's emphasis on realism and emotional resonance led to innovative techniques that enhanced depth and perspective, distinguishing it from earlier styles.
• In what ways did the economic changes during the Southern Song period affect the arts?
  • The economic changes during the Southern Song period greatly impacted the arts by fostering a vibrant cultural environment. Increased trade brought wealth to artists and patrons alike, leading to greater investments in art and culture. Additionally, the rise of a merchant class created new audiences for artistic works, which encouraged diverse themes and styles in painting, notably landscape and bird-and-flower genres.
• Evaluate the lasting significance of Southern Song painting on subsequent Chinese art movements.
  • Southern Song painting left a lasting legacy on subsequent Chinese art movements by establishing foundational techniques and themes that influenced generations of artists. The focus on naturalism and emotional expression became hallmarks of Chinese landscape painting that persisted throughout history. Later schools, such as the Ming and Qing dynasties' literati painters, drew inspiration from Southern Song aesthetics, reinforcing its importance in shaping traditional Chinese artistic values.

Related terms

Landscape Painting: A genre of painting that focuses on depicting natural scenery, emphasizing harmony between humans and nature, which flourished during the Southern Song period.

Bird-and-Flower Painting: A genre of painting that highlights flora and fauna, showcasing detailed and expressive representations that became popular in the Southern Song era.

Jurchen: An ethnic group that invaded Northern China in the early 12th century, leading to the fall of the Northern Song and prompting the establishment of the Southern Song dynasty.