The Knick-knack Peddler

The Knick-knack Peddler
Li Song (1070-1155), Song dynasty

This painting describes an old knick-knack peddler with his vast assortment of goods as a matron with a group of young children approaches him in excitement. The carriers on either side of the peddler's shoulder pole are divided into six levels holding an array of items, foods, and toys. Some even have labels to identify them, including "Immortal Scripture," "Writing," "Shandong Yellow Rice Wine," and "Sour Vinegar." Among the branches on the left is the artist's signature that reads, "Painted by Li Song in the gengwu year of the Jiading reign (1201)," and on the trunk of the tree is another inscription in small characters for "300 items." Using children from a village family as the main characters, Li Song has here portrayed an interesting scene from life that is full of emotion. As a result, this work is indispensable in the study of genre painting and folk life in the Southern Song period