Spring festival on the river

Traditionally attributed to Qiu Ying 仇英 (ca. 1494-1552) · 18th century

This long handscroll is a copy of a famous work attributed to the Song dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan (active early 12th century), which shows the imperial capital Bianliang (modern Kaifeng, Henan Province) during the annual spring festival. Many copies of Zhang's painting are attributed to Qiu Ying, including this scroll, which bears his forged signature. These later copies often contain scenes that are absent from Zhang's original composition, such as the section shown here, which depicts the palaces on Golden Shining Pond, an imperial park located just outside the western city wall.