China’s most beloved work of art comes to life at the Kennedy Center in “Qingming Riverside,” an epic dance spectacle performed by Hong Kong Dance Company. The dance, first performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, recreates the beauty and impact of a cherished silk scroll painted between A.D. 1110 and A.D. 1125 by Zhang Zeduan, the imperial court painter.

His detailed visual account of life in the progressive city of Bianjing during the booming Northern Song Dynasty captures every aspect of life in the city, suburbs and countryside, a panorama displaying 814 humans, 50 animals, 30 buildings, 28 boats, 20 vehicles, nine sedan chairs and 170 trees.