Chao Kan (fl. 10th century), a native of Chiang-ning, Kiangsu, was noted for expertize in painting mountains and forests and pictures of springs and rocks. He served in the so-called Painting Academy of the last ruler of the Southern T'ang, Li Yü (r. 961-975). It is therefore not surprising to find that his paintings all depicted the scenery of that region, the Chiang-nan area, south of the Yangtze. His subjects frequently included homely scenes such as fishermen's markets, riverside villages, or someone gazing at passing boats. Flowers and bamboo give way to the pleasantness of interesting scenery. Even though you might be in the midst of the windblown dust of the morning market, as soon as you glance at his pictures, it will seem as though you are at the very river itself.