The Imperial Lineage of the Song Dynasty Zhao Bosu was not merely a painter; he was a member of the Song imperial clan, a distinction that placed his artistic output within a specific sphere of courtly expectation. Born in 1124, he operated within a family of significant creative weight, being the son of Zhao Lingrang and the younger brother of Zhao Boju. His life was defined by this proximity to power and the technical traditions it demanded. He held official roles, including Commander of Defense of Hezhou and Deputy Envoy to the Jin state, suggesting a life balanced between administrative d…