River Scene

He Shiqi’s River Scene commemorates a monumental event: the inaugural maritime transportation of grain from the south to the northern capital and garrisons in 1826. Traditionally, the supply of grain to this region was sustained by shipping through the Grand Canal system, which, over time, with its deteriorating condition, could no longer adequately maintain the supply. Emperor Daoguang (r. 1820-1850) suggested using maritime transport as a viable and sustainable alternative, which was strongly supported by Tao Zhu (1779-1839), then the governor of Jiangsu province. Against opposition from officials who had profited from the usage of the Grand Canal System, the first shipment set sail from Jiangsu to Tianjin in 1826 as depicted in this handscroll. The nine colophons were inscribed by officials, many of whom were based in Jiangsu, who supported this new policy, including Tao Zhu (1779 – 1839), Chen Luan (1786-1839), Li Jingyi, Wang Xipu, Wan Tai, He Shiqi, Dong Guohua (1800-1850), Li Zhaoluo (1769-1841), and Zhu Changyan.