Liu Songnian (刘松年 or traditional Liu Sung-nien, 1174–1224 CE), was a Chinese landscape painter during the early Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279). He was active from about 1190-1230 and is considered one of the Four Masters of the Southern Song dynasty, which also included Li Tang, Ma Yuan and Xia Gui.[1] He studied and worked at the Imperial Academy of Painting in Hangzhou, capital of the Southern Song dynasty.
Liu entered the Southern Song Imperial Academy of Painting as a student in 1189, and went on to become a painter-in-attendance from 1190 to 1194.[2] During the reign of Emperor Ningzong of Song, he received a prestigious award for his work. Liu followed the tradition of Li Tang. Liu's style influenced the work of Ma Yuan and Xia Gui.[2]
"Liu Songnian". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2013