This novel gives an interesting interpretation of China's ancient paintings. In addition to the usual explanation of painting style and introduction of works, the author pays more attention to restoring the historical situation behind ancient paintings and characters experience, and tells the story of "difficulty in understanding" behind painters and literati.

The book divides the stories behind more than 65,438+000 Chinese paintings into six life situations, from the rise and fall of dynasties to the delicate feelings of a recluse. The author can always extract interesting historical materials from ancient poetry collections, notes, genealogy of local chronicles, calligraphy and painting inscriptions, and take you back to the dusty and warm historical scene.