在中国历代之君中，宋徽宗是个颇为奇异的矛盾人物。作为一个皇帝，他昏庸、愚昧、怯懦，而且残忍。在大敌当前之际，他丧权辱国，直接充当了金人搜刮中原人民财富和奴役中原人民的鹰犬！而作为一个艺术家，他不只聪明、精细、目光敏锐，而且技艺超群，其吹弹、书画、声歌、辞赋无不精擅，在中国文化史上留下了许多不可磨灭的业绩和艺术佳话。

朝廷的绘画机构，最早出现于汉代，称为“画室”。五代时后蜀设立画院。宋朝把后周、南唐、后蜀实力雄厚的画家们集中起来，设置了“翰林图画院”。

到了公元1104年，喜爱绘画的宋徽宗赵佶把绘画正式纳入国家科举考试的轨道，定期考试，按成绩录取考生，然后进行专业的学习、训练，称为“画学”。这个画学，是中国的第一所美术大学，也是世界上的第一所美术大学。

painting and calligraphy, which are considered to be the highest forms of Chinese art. The emperor himself was a talented artist and wrote several books on painting, including "The Ten Compatriots" and "The Art of Painting". He also established the Imperial Academy of Painting, which became a center for artistic innovation.

Song Dynasty artists were known for their skill in using colors and techniques such as wet-on-wet, drybrushing, and layering. They also developed new styles such as the "Southern School", which emphasized realism and naturalism.

One day, Emperor Song Zhenzong decided to hold an art competition among his courtiers. He asked them to paint a picture based on a poem by Du Fu: "A thousand miles away from home." Most painters painted mountains or rivers but failed to capture the sense of distance implied in the poem.

Zhao Ji's winning entry depicted a distant landscape with tiny figures walking towards it. His painting captured not only the physical distance but also the emotional longing expressed in the poem. This painting is now considered one of China's most famous artworks.

Another time, Emperor Song Zhenzong held another art competition with this theme: "Ink stick trees under moonlight". Most painters focused on ink sticks alone but failed to incorporate trees under moonlight into their paintings.

Zhao Ji's winning entry depicted ink sticks scattered around two tall trees under bright moonlight. His painting successfully combined both themes into one harmonious whole.

Emperor Song Zhenzong was so impressed with Zhao Ji's paintings that he appointed him as his official painter-in-residence at court. Zhao Ji continued to produce many masterpieces during his reign until his death at age 84 in 1151 AD.

He was buried in Zhengding County where he spent most of his life studying Buddhism.

His tomb has been recognized as one of China's cultural relics since 1961.

As an artist who excelled both academically (as evidenced by numerous awards) & practically (with many successful exhibitions), I believe that my work reflects my passion for capturing beauty through various mediums while adhering strictly to traditional techniques yet pushing boundaries through innovative experimentation

This article serves as evidence that even though Zhao Ji did not become an emperor himself due to circumstances beyond his control (the death of his father before ascending), he still managed to make significant contributions in other fields like art & literature

Thus concluding our journey through history let us remember that there exists no limit when it comes down

to following your dreams no matter what challenges may arise along our path