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Portrait of Yan Liben
Yan Liben (Chinese: 閻立本; pinyin: Yán Lìběn; Wade–Giles: Yen Li-pen) (c. 600 – 14 November 673[1]), formally Baron Wenzhen of Boling (博陵文貞男), was a Chinese architect, painter, and politician during the early Tang dynasty. His most famous work, possibly the only genuine survival, is the Thirteen Emperors Scroll.[2] He also painted the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion, under Emperor Taizong of Tang, commissioned in 643 to commemorate 24 of the greatest contributors to Emperor Taizong's reign, as well as 18 portraits commemorating the 18 great scholars who served Emperor Taizong when he was the Prince of Qin. Yan's paintings included painted portraits of various Chinese emperors from the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD) up until the Sui dynasty (581–618) period. His works were highly regarded by the Tang writers Zhu Jingxuan and Zhang Yanyuan, who noted his paintings were "works among the glories of all times".[3]
From the years 669 to 673, Yan Liben also served as a chancellor under Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong (r. 649–683).
One of the reliefs of the six favourite horses at the mausoleum of Emperor Taizong (d. 649), possibly after a drawing by Yan Liben
A record of 1120 gives 42 titles of Yan's paintings, though the Thirteen Emperors Scroll is not among them. Only four Buddhist subjects are listed, against 12 Daoist. The remainder are portraits, "gods of the planets and constellations" or records of events at court. Of the surviving works attributed to him, the Thirteen Emperors Scroll is "the first that is generally accepted as being partly original", though much of it seems later.[4] A similar figure of an emperor in fresco in the Mogao Caves (Cave 200), might be by the same hand, and carries the appropriate date of 642.[5]
By tradition the reliefs of the six favourite horses at the mausoleum of Emperor Taizong (d. 649) were designed by Yan Liben, and the relief is so flat and linear that it seems likely they were carved after drawings or paintings.[6] Yan Liben is documented as producing other works for the tomb, a portrait series that is now lost, and perhaps designed the whole structure.[7]
^ren'wu day of the 10th month of the 4th year of the Xian'heng era, per Emperor Gaozong's biography (vol.5) in Old Book of Tang
^Loehr, 32-34
^Fong (1984), 38.
^Loehr, 33-34 (34 quoted)
^Loehr, 36
^Sullivan, Michael, The Arts of China, 126, 1973, Sphere Books, ISBN 0351183345 (revised edn of A Short History of Chinese Art, 1967); Loehr, 33
YanLiben (Chinese: 閻立本; pinyin: YánLìběn; Wade–Giles: Yen Li-pen) (c. 600 – 14 November 673), formally Baron Wenzhen of Boling (博陵文貞男), was a Chinese...
entitled The Gathering of Kings (王會圖, Wanghuitu). It was probably made by YanLiben. From right to left, the countries are Lu (魯國) which is a reference to...
feature engraved statues of Buddha by the renowned 7th-century artist YanLiben. This pagoda was added to the World Heritage List, along with many other...
portraited in The Gathering of Kings (王會圖; Wánghuìtú), probably painted by YanLiben (601–673 CE). From right to left are representatives hailing from Lu (魯國)—a...
Tibetan Envoy (also called 步辇图, Bùniǎn Tú ) is a painting on silk by YanLiben to show the friendly encounter between the Tang dynasty and Tibet. The...
public works, YanLiben, and the relief is so flat and linear that it seems likely they were carved after drawings or paintings. YanLiben is documented...
portraited in The Gathering of Kings (王會圖; Wánghuìtú), probably painted by YanLiben (601–673 CE). From right to left are representatives hailing from Lu (魯國)—a...
of improprieties by colleagues, and when the minister of public works, YanLiben, was touring the Henan Circuit (河南道, the region immediately south of the...
Wade–Giles: Chin Wu-Ti; 236 – 16 May 290), personal name Sima Yan (Chinese: 司馬炎; pinyin: Sīmǎ Yán), courtesy name Anshi (安世), was a grandson of Sima Yi, nephew...
Unknown Princess Qingdou (清都公主) Married Yan Pi, Duke Shibao (閻毗), and had issue (two sons including YanLiben) Princess Yiyang (義陽公主) Married Yu Xiangxian...
the Tibetan Envoy, probably a later copy of the 7th century original by YanLiben, though the front section of the famous portrait of the Emperor Xuanzong's...
was forced to consider who would make a good heir. Liu Dan, the Prince of Yan, was Emperor Wu's oldest surviving son, but Emperor Wu considered both he...
successful in falsely accusing two officials supporting Cao Pi – Cui Yan and Mao Jie. Cui Yan was executed, while Mao Jie was deposed. However, the situation...
construction halted thereafter. Empress Wu commissioned the court architect YanLiben to design the palace in 660 and construction commenced once again in 662...
Han Xiu's tomb. Brothers YanLiben (閻立本) and Yan Lide (閻立德) were among the most prolific painters of this period. YanLiben was the personal portraitist...
and his sons, son Yang Jian and his sons, grandson Yang Tan the Prince of Yan, Yu Shiji, Pei Yun, Lai Hu'er, Yuan Chong (袁充), Yuwen Xie (宇文協), Yuwen Jiong...
mianfu of Emperor Wu of Jin dynasty, 7th-century painting by court artist YanLiben The earliest evidence of spinning in Thailand can be found at the archaeological...
sacrifices first, but Wu would do so next, followed by Princess Dowager Yan, the mother of Gaozong's younger brother Li Zhen, the Prince of Yue. In winter...
Dál Riata (Scotland) Remaclus, Frankish missionary (approximate date) YanLiben, painter and official of the Tang dynasty Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan, Muslim...
staff members Wang Gui and Wei Ting (韋挺) and Li Shimin's staff member Du Yan, exiling them to Xi Prefecture (巂州, roughly modern Liangshan Yi Autonomous...
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