Following the central axis of the building shown
here takes the viewer from the entrance to the interior along a symmetrical arrangement.
This building complex, surrounded by covered walkways, is built directly atop an elevated
slab-faced foundation, which has a curb and pier at
each end. The entrance hall rests on a tall platform with sloping (entasis) walls and has bracketing and an elevated terrace. A series of steps lead up to the central bay with a railing on either side and the triangular "elephant-eye" pattern below, which correlates to
the Sung technique illustrated in Ying-tsao fa-shih (Building Standards). The tall central
structure behind has a double-eave roof with a cross-shaped
ridge and flying
rafters. The ch'ih-wen ornaments at the ends of the main
ridge have wide-open mouths and tall curving tails, which are typical of the style from
the Sung, Chin, and Liao periods. A animal cap lies below the corner
ornaments.
Li Sung, a native of Chekiang, was famous for ruled-line painting and
served as a court artist under Emperors Kuang-tsung, Ning-tsung, and Li-tsung in the
Southern Sung. This work is similar to another work signed by Li Sung in the Museum
collection; Dragon Boat.
This is the twelfth leaf from the third album of "Yen-yun
chi-hui."
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