China: Dancing and Singing (Peasants Returning from Work). Hanging scroll painting by Ma Yuan (1160-1225), late 12th - early 13th century. Ma Yuan (1160-1225) was a Chinese painter hailing from the Song Dynasty, born into a family of painters from Qiantang (now Hangzhou). Like his forebears, he became a court painter, serving under Emperors Guangzong and Ningzong. He was held in high esteem and favour by his patrons at court. Alongside Xia Gui, Ma formed the so-called Ma-Xia school of painting, which were considered some of the finest paintings from that period, and his works, especially his landscape scrolls, inspired Chinese and Japanese artists.