Out of the Darkness; A Hong Kong Exhibit Offers a Rare Glimpse of the 12th-Century Masterpiece Known as 'China's Mona Lisa.'

Seno, Alexandra A., Newsweek International

Byline: Alexandra A. Seno

Even among the stuffy bureaucrats in Beijing, the Song dynasty ink-on-silk painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" has an affectionate nickname: "China's Mona Lisa." Though it's a landscape, not a portrait, "Qingming" has a mysterious allure that has captivated the popular imagination and spawned debate about its hidden meaning, much like da Vinci's fabled work. But unlike the "Mona Lisa," which is on view at the Louvre, "Qingming" has been seen only rarely by members of the public.

Now's their big chance. The stunning 12th-century work by the court artist Zhang Zeduan is making its first appearance outside the mainland as …

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Publication information: Article title: Out of the Darkness; A Hong Kong Exhibit Offers a Rare Glimpse of the 12th-Century Masterpiece Known as 'China's Mona Lisa.'. Contributors: Seno, Alexandra A. - Author. Magazine title: Newsweek International. Publication date: July 16, 2007. Page number: Not available. © 2009 Newsweek, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse, distribution or alteration without express written permission of Newsweek is prohibited. For permission: www.newsweek.com. COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale Group.

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