Xie Chufang’s Qiankun Shengyi Tu (《乾坤生意图》, The Vitality of Nature Scroll)
A masterpiece of Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) meticulous brushwork, Qiankun Shengyi Tu by ​Xie Chufang (谢楚芳, fl. early 14th c.) captures the brutal yet poetic struggle for survival in the natural world. Painted in 1321 during a politically turbulent era, this ink-and-colors-on-silk handscroll (27.8 cm × 352.9 cm) is now a crown jewel of the ​British Museum, listed among its “Top 10 Most Precious Chinese Artifacts”.

​Structure and Symbolism

The scroll unfolds in six scenes, each blending vibrant flora with predator-prey dynamics:

1. ​Plantain and Carnage: A dragonfly collides mid-air with a fly, while ants dismember a butterfly beneath a plantain leaf. A concealed toad watches, poised to strike.
2. ​Rapeseed Ambush: A lizard lurks among rapeseed leaves, targeting a grasshopper, as a snail climbs silently and butterflies flutter obliviously.
3. ​Willow Treachery: A mantis seizes a cicada on a willow branch, unaware of a tree frog stalking nearby—a visual nod to the proverb “The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind”.
4. ​Bamboo Battleground: Wasps attack a damselfly near a bamboo honeycomb, while a red dragonfly observes stoically.
5. ​Cockscomb Romance: A male katydid feeds on cockscomb leaves as a female descends toward him, framed by fluttering swallowtail butterflies.
6. ​Harmony in Hibiscus: Bees and butterflies pollinate yellow hibiscus, offering a rare moment of tranquility amid the carnage.

Artistic Mastery and Historical Context

• ​Scientific Precision: Xie’s hyper-detailed depictions of insects—from the veined wings of dragonflies to the segmented legs of mantises—reflect Yuan-era advancements in naturalistic observation, surpassing even Song Dynasty precedents.
• ​Political Allegory: Created during the chaotic reign of Emperor Yingzong (r. 1320–1323), the scroll’s predation motifs metaphorically critique Mongol rule and societal greed. Later inscriptions by scholars like ​Chen Shen lament human folly: “Insects scheme for food—is man any different?”.
• ​Provenance: Sealed by British collector William Butler in 1797, it likely reached Europe via East India Company trade or as a diplomatic gift. Acquired by the British Museum in 1998, it remains the earliest dated Chinese painting in UK collections.

​Inscriptions and Legacy

Five poetic colophons deepen the scroll’s philosophical resonance:

• ​Songhua Daoren: “Flowers and insects vie for spring’s glow—who knows Heaven’s intent?”.
• ​Chen Shen: Condemns human greed, comparing it to insect predation.
• ​Yuan Cheng: Praises the cicada’s purity and warns against arrogance.

A fusion of ​Daoist cosmology and ​political satire, Qiankun Shengyi Tu transcends mere naturalism, offering a mirror to Yuan society’s turmoil. Its survival and global acclaim cement Xie Chufang’s legacy as an unheralded genius of ecological storytelling.

For digitized details, explore the ​British Museum’s online archives.