Children Playing in an 
Autumn Garden
Su Han-ch'en 
(ca. 12th century)
Sung Dynasty
(A.D. 960-1279)
Color and ink on silk. 
Hanging scroll. 
197.5 x 108.7cm
     Su Han-ch'en  was  a 
native of Kaifeng in Honan 
province.  He served as a 
Painter-in-Attendance in the
Imperial Painting Academy 
during the Hsuan-ho period 
(A.D. 1119-1125). Su Han-
ch'en was skillful in painting
Buddhist and Taoist figures,
and was especially noted for
his paintings of children.
This  work  depicts  two 
children playing with dates.
Using fine, delicate strokes
Su Han-ch'en  has  created
life-like images. The garden 
stone and hibiscus capture 
an autumn mood. Toys are 
arranged on the top of a 
round garden seat, while a 
pair of cymbals lies on the 
ground.   Every  detail in 
the  scroll   is   precisely 
delineated.