After five years of dedicated effort, Yangzhou embroidery master Wei Fang, along with embroiderers in her studio, recently completed a stunning 12-meter-long embroidery work. This masterpiece meticulously replicates Along the River During the Qingming Festival, an iconic painting of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
One part of the stunning embroidery work showcases lively scenes during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
There are many versions of this iconic painting, and the team chose one that adds colorful scenes of special customs during Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Due to its rich and diverse imagery, this version is particularly suited for embroidery.
The embroidery work features a vivid depiction of numerous figures, buildings, vessels, and creatures, demanding exceptional embroidery skills. Various stitching techniques, such as scattered, connected, and dashed stitches, were employed, all executed with colorful threads to restore intricate details.
Wei Fang meticulously allocates threads. [Photo/yznews.cn]
Completing such an elegant embroidery work also necessitates practitioners' patience and resilience to endure the solitude that often accompanies such a labor-intensive and time-consuming endeavor.
Mounting such a large embroidery work also presented a huge challenge. The soft texture and varying thicknesses of the embroidery required careful handling to maintain flatness and avoid wrinkles and deformation.
Another part of the embroidery work vividly depicts the prosperous life in Bianliang, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. [Photo/yznews.cn]