Chinese Painting Replicated With Cross-Stitching

A woman from Yingkou City in northeast China has created a cross-stitch replica of an ancient painting from the Song Dynasty called "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival." It took her almost six years to complete.

The original work was painted by Zhang Zerui in the twelfth century, and is one of the most famous and valuable of China's ancient paintings.

53-year-old Gao Shuli wore out more than 20 needles while working on the piece, and she used 66 different colors. The scene from the painting contains 1695 people, over 60 livestock, 30 houses and pavilions, and 20 carts and sedans.

Gao started doing cross-stitch 10 years ago.

[Gao Shuli, Owner of Cross Stitch Work]:
"Once when I went to the market, I saw someone selling cross-stitches and also I knew some of my neighbors also did cross-stitch. At first, I did it to kill time, but I found myself infatuated with it later on...I did cross-stitch everyday and spent the rest of time on it other than cooking and eating...The longest time I spent on cross stitch was 13 hours straight."

At first Gao's family were concerned with her spending so much time cross-stitching, but her persistence won them over.

[Wang Zhongbo, Gao's Son]:
"At the beginning, I did not really support her as I know doing cross-stitch is not good for your health, such as how it affects eyesight and upper back area, but my mother insisted on it so I changed my mind."

Cross-stitch is a kind of embroidery that has recently become popular in China, both for its beauty and the possibility of selling the final product.

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