The Prodigy of the Northern Song Wang Ximeng was a Chinese painter active during the Northern Song dynasty. A remarkable prodigy, he was a student at the imperial court's school of paintings. His talent was recognized by Emperor Huizong of Song, who saw his potential and personally taught him. During his brief life, he created his only surviving work, a long blue-green scroll titled A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains, which he finished in 1113 at the age of 18. The artist died at the age of 23. His singular masterpiece, which has been hailed as a masterpiece of Chinese art, is currently h…