In about 1100, Zhang Zeduan painted a horizontal scroll that took as its theme the return journey that a family made back to Kaifeng, capital city of the Northern Song Dynasty (960­‐1127). 

They had been paying their annual visit to clean and repair the graves of their ancestors after the ravages of winter. They passed through farmland and along the river, with its shipping and its wharves; they encountered traders, bargaining with customers for wares just unloaded on the river bank, or on the stalls packed together on the river’s bridge. They saw the watermen at work manoeuvring their ships; they made their way through one of the main gates of the city and passed along its streets until reaching part of its centre. 

Finally they came to a street where drovers were hustling their animals and carts at greater and greater speed, amid the ever‐busy work of a city. Not far away, artisans were repairing a carriage; ladies were intent on their shopping; one was consulting a doctor about the health of her baby. As a climax to the painting Zhang Zeduan showed a dignified official, surveying the scene and doubtless drawing up his report. 
This painting may be valued not only as the creation of an artist but also as a source of information for scholars and historians who are concerned with China’s social structure, economic practice and technological development. 

Michael’s talk is illustrated by high a resolution scan of Zhang Zeduan’s painting prepared by Denis Bilodeau. 

The painting is regarded as one of the great achievements of Chinese art.

Michael Loewe, University Lecturer in Chinese Studies 1963-­90 Fellow, Clare Hall, gave this talk on 10 February 2015.