Zhan Ziqian (; c. mid to late 6th century)[1] was a famous painter of ancient China from Yangxin County in modern-day Shandong province. His birth and death dates are unknown. It is known that in the Sui dynasty (581–618) he was appointed to the office of Chaosan Dafu (Chinese: 朝散大夫) and later of Zhangnei Dudu (Chinese: 帐内都督).[2]
According to the historical documents, Zhan Ziqian painted a number of genres and religion paintings which have not survived. He was especially noted for his paintings of pavilions and people, and horses. His paintings of people were particularly lifelike.[2] The only painting by him that survives today is Strolling About in Spring, which is a perspective arrangement of mountains. It has been cited as the earliest surviving work of Chinese landscape painting[3] or the first shan shui painting.[4]