There are hidden meanings in the painting, revealing its delightful charm; these celebrated masterpieces passed down through the ages are timeless masterpieces. The profound mysteries within them are elucidated with subtlety and insight; the heartfelt words of Haifeng resonate with a vast and enduring literary spirit.
— Wu Yueshi, Researcher at the Professional Committee of the China National Academy of Painting, Director of the Art Committee of the Freehand Painting Institute, Chinese National Academy of Arts

In the painting, emotions run deep and cannot be fully expressed; the fragrance of ink gently wafts, touching the heart. As you savor the meaning within the painting, you transcend the image itself and glimpse the vastness of the universe.
— Xu Fushan, President of the Freehand Painting Institute, Chinese National Academy of Arts; Member of the Council of the China Artists Association

★ A single book will help you understand the beauty and excellence of Chinese painting, making it effortless for readers to grasp the essence of Chinese art—as if you’re reading a story and instantly “get” it!
★ Written records capture only half of history; the other half is revealed through ancient paintings. By exploring 28 pivotal works of art, you’ll step into the star-studded universe of Chinese calligraphy and painting, gaining a clear understanding of the historical context and artistic techniques behind each piece—so you can truly appreciate the unique charm of Chinese art and journey through China’s history as depicted in these masterpieces!
★ A masterpiece by Danqing Lüzhe (real name: Li Haifeng), a mentor at the Chinese Academy of Arts and vice chairman of the Dongcheng District Artists Association in Beijing. With a down-to-earth, humorous writing style, a sharp and incisive perspective, and a solid foundation in art, this book offers an authoritative yet accessible interpretation of these masterpieces!
★ Perfect for both beginners and art enthusiasts, this book helps readers not only see and understand Chinese painting but also deepen their appreciation of its aesthetic qualities—while effortlessly connecting insights from history, poetry, general knowledge, and cultural allusions into a cohesive whole.

Chinese calligraphy and painting are the key that unlocks the treasure chest of Chinese culture, brimming with rich knowledge about ancient cultural traditions such as patriarchal systems, clothing, cuisine, and rituals.
Did you know? It was while slightly drunk that Wang Xizhi poured out his emotions, giving birth to the “Preface to the Collection of Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion,” hailed as the “greatest running-script masterpiece in the world.”
The earliest surviving ancient sequential art, “Night Banquet of Han Xizai,” was created by a painter commissioned by the emperor to secretly monitor his officials.
Emperor Qianlong owned 1,800 seals. Whenever he took a fancy to a piece of calligraphy or painting, he would stamp it with one of his seals—truly a devoted seal enthusiast.
From silk paintings of the Han Dynasty to modern and contemporary paintings in the Qi School style, cultural scholar and art traveler Dan Qing uses witty and humorous language to guide readers in experiencing the charm of Chinese calligraphy and painting up close. This book features 28 representative works from different periods, using storytelling to explore the unique content and artistic techniques of each piece. Through vivid and multidimensional portrayals, it brings to life the everyday life and human stories of various historical eras, allowing you to sense the emotional subtleties hidden within the artist’s brushstrokes and gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and allure of Chinese calligraphy and painting.

Danqing Lüzhe
Born Li Haifeng, he is a cultural scholar, mentor at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, a member of the China Artists Association, the vice chairman of the Dongcheng District Artists Association in Beijing, and the vice president of the Beijing Fan Art Association. He specializes in the field of new-media culture and art.
Li Haifeng is a direct disciple of Mr. Wu Yueshi and was initially mentored by Mr. Lou Shibai in his early years. Over the years, he has focused on the study of Qi Baishi’s art, delivering the course “In-Depth Lectures on Qi Baishi’s Painting Techniques,” which covers the full range of techniques including freehand brushwork and meticulous insect-and-plant paintings, while also exploring their integration with contemporary environmental spaces. He has given more than 100 lectures at institutions such as the School of Arts at Renmin University of China, Peking University, and the National Library of China. His published works include more than a dozen titles, such as “The Qi Baishi Code,” “Appreciation of Qi Baishi’s Art and Authentication of Authenticity,” and “A Collection of Qi-Style Meticulous Insect-and-Plant Paintings.”

Mawangdui T-shaped Silk Painting: The Universe in the Eyes of Han Dynasty People —— 001
Preface to the Orchid Pavilion: Writing a Preface While Drunk, and Creating the “Best in the World” —— 011
Brief Note on a Clear Day After Snow: The Snow Has Stopped—How Are You Doing? —— 023
Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies: A Compendium of Ancient Women —— 033
Lingfei Jing: The Premier Model for Small Regular Script —— 043
Zhaoye Bai: The Disappearing Horse’s Tail —— 051
Procession of Lady Guo of the Guo State in Spring: A “Social Media Hit” of a Tang Dynasty Woman Out for a Spring Excursion —— 057
Five Oxen: Some People Watch Cattle, and After Watching, They Want to Resign from Office —— 067
Self-Preface: The Most Impressive Personal Resume —— 075
Letter on Leeks and Flowers: The Everyday Essence of Life That Best Soothes the Human Heart —— 085
Night Banquet of Han Xizai: A Masterpiece Passed Down Through the Ages That Turned Out to Be Intelligence Gathered by a Spy —— 093
Life Studies of Rare Birds: A Copybook for His Son’s Painting Lessons, Given by the Father —— 111
Snowy Landscape in a Cold Forest: How Beautiful the Qinling Mountains Were a Thousand Years Ago —— 119
Along the River During the Qingming Festival: A Visual Compendium of Life Across All Social Strata in Song Dynasty Society —— 127