Qi Xu (Ξε Ξ ύ) – A Pioneer of Song Dynasty Silk Painting Qi Xu, born in Jinan, Shandong Province, China, stands as a singular figure within the annals of Song Dynasty art—a testament to artistic innovation and enduring beauty. Despite limited biographical details readily available, scholarly consensus points to his active participation during the mid-11th century, marking him as one of the last luminaries of literati tradition. His legacy resides primarily in his masterful silk paintings, particularly “Shepherding,” a piece that embodies the spirit of its time and continues to captivate audi…