ZHANG ZEDUAN Meaning and
Definition
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Zhang Zeduan is a renowned Chinese painter and one of the greatest artists of the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). He is best known for his masterpiece, the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," often considered one of the most famous paintings in Chinese history.
Born in the 11th century, Zhang Zeduan lived during a prosperous and culturally rich period in Chinese history. He was highly skilled in the gongbi (meticulous detail) painting style and often depicted scenes of daily life, landscapes, and traditional Chinese architecture.
His most famous work, "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," is an immense hand-scroll painting measuring over 17 feet in length. It captures a bustling scene of city life along the river during the festive period of Qingming, also known as the Tomb Sweeping Festival. The painting showcases incredible detail, with hundreds of figures engaged in various activities—vendors peddling goods, boats navigating the river, people celebrating, and everyday life unfolding.
Zhang Zeduan's masterful depiction of architecture, nature, and human life in this painting has made it an invaluable historical and cultural treasure. It provides viewers with a vivid glimpse into the urban landscape, social customs, and economic activities of the time. Zhang Zeduan's meticulous attention to detail and remarkable skill in capturing the essence of everyday life has made him an enduring figure in Chinese art history.
Common Misspellings for ZHANG ZEDUAN
- Zhang Zedain
- Zhang Zeudan
- Zhang Zeduen
- Zhang Zeduon
- Zhang Zedyan
- Zhang Zuedan
- Zhang Zudan
- Zhang Ziduan
- Zhang Zoduan
Etymology of ZHANG ZEDUAN
The name "Zhang Zeduan" is a combination of a personal name and a surname. In Chinese culture, the surname comes before the personal name.
The surname "Zhang" (張) is one of the most common surnames in China and is derived from the Chinese character 張, meaning "to stretch" or "to open". It is believed to have originated from an ancient title during the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE).
The personal name "Zeduan" (擇端) is composed of two Chinese characters, 擇 (ze) meaning "to choose" or "to select", and 端 (duan) meaning "end" or "boundary". The name suggests an individual who has a discerning eye for details or who carefully chooses the aspects to depict in their artwork.
