November 14, 2013 marked the ninth annual Guinness World Records Day, where people around the globe attempt to break world records.

Unveiled that day at the Palace Museum in Beijing was an astonishing wooden sculpture by Chinese artist Zheng Chunhui. The wooden carving took four years to complete. The sculpture, carved from a single tree trunk, measures 12.286 meters long, 3.075 meters high and 2.401 meters wide (40.308 x 10.088 x 7.877 ft).

The sculpture is based on the famous scroll painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival (c 1085-1145), which captures the daily life of people and the landscape of the capital, Bianjing (today Kaifeng). The original painting is one of the most renowned work among all Chinese paintings and has even been called, ‘China’s Mona Lisa’ for its recognizability. [Source]

Zheng’s intricate sculpture features boats, bridges, buildings and over 550 individually carved people. The Palace Museum where the sculpture was unveiled is also home to the original scroll painting.

[Sources: Ecns.cn, Daily Mail, Guinness World Records, My Modern Met]

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Artwork by ZHENG CHUNHUI

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Artwork by ZHENG CHUNHUI

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Artwork by ZHENG CHUNHUI

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Artwork by ZHENG CHUNHUI

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Artwork by ZHENG CHUNHUI

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Artwork by ZHENG CHUNHUI

Along the River During the Qingming Festival

Zhang Zeduan – c 1085-1145

25.5 x 525 cm | 10 x 207 in -scrollbar at bottom-