Qu Ding: A Song Dynasty Pioneer of Landscape Painting Born around 1023 in what is now Sichuan Province, Qu Ding (屈鼎) emerged as a significant figure within the burgeoning landscape painting tradition of the Northern Song dynasty. His life and artistic journey offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolving aesthetic sensibilities of the era – a period marked by both political upheaval and unprecedented cultural flourishing. While details surrounding his early life remain somewhat sparse, it’s understood that Qu Ding received his foundational training from Yan Wengui (顏文貴), a highly respected m…