Su Hanchen was a native of Kaifeng; Henan; who specialized in painting Buddhist and Taoist figures. During the Xuanhe era (1119-1125) under Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song; he was a Painter-in-Attendance at the imperial academy.

After the court moved south; Su resumed in his position there; and; in the early Longxing era (1163-1164) of Emperor Xiaozong; he was praised for his Buddhist paintings.

Su Hanchen was a master of observation and description who knew that children at play are in a state of natural ease. His ability to capture the spirit and appearance of such children made him the most renowned painter in this genre. Pictures From History