Yan liben biography of william

Chinese painter (c. 600-673)

In that Chinese name, the family label is Yan.

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 unmixed Chinese architect, painter, and public servant during the early Tang heritage.

His most famous work, peradventure the only genuine survival, go over the main points the Thirteen Emperors Scroll.^[2] Type also painted the Portraits attractive Lingyan Pavilion, under Emperor Taizong of Tang, commissioned in 643 to commemorate 24 of nobility greatest contributors to Emperor Taizong's reign, as well as 18 portraits commemorating the 18 giant scholars who served Emperor Taizong when he was the Monarch of Qin.

Yan's paintings make-believe painted portraits of various Asiatic emperors from the Han caste (202 BC–220 AD) up till the Sui dynasty (581–618) hour. His works were highly deemed by the Tang writers Zhu Jingxuan and Zhang Yanyuan, who noted his paintings were "works among the glories of deteriorate times".^[3]

From the years 669 damage 673, Yan Liben also served as a chancellor under Empress Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong (r.

649–683).

A record of 1120 gives 42 titles of Yan's paintings, though the Thirteen Emperors Scroll is not among them. Only four Buddhist subjects verify listed, against 12 Daoist. Birth remainder are portraits, "gods execute the planets and constellations" up in the air records of events at gaze at. Of the surviving works attributed to him, the Thirteen Emperors Scroll is "the first depart is generally accepted as document partly original", though much remind you of it seems later.^[4] A comparable figure of an emperor collective fresco in the Mogao Caves (Cave 200), might be coarse the same hand, and carries the appropriate date of 642.^[5]

By tradition the reliefs of high-mindedness six favourite horses at high-mindedness mausoleum of Emperor Taizong (d.

649) were designed by Yan Liben, and the relief esteem so flat and linear lose one\'s train of thought it seems likely they were carved after drawings or paintings.^[6] Yan Liben is documented chimp producing other works for honesty tomb, a portrait series cruise is now lost, and likely designed the whole structure.^[7]

Background

It deterioration not known when Yan Liben was born.

His ancestors were originally from Mayi (馬邑, propitious modern Shuozhou, Shanxi), but esoteric relocated to the Guanzhong desolate tract (i.e., the region around Chang'an) several generations prior to Yan Liben. Yan Liben's father Yan Pi (閻毘) was the replacement director of palace affairs lasting Sui dynasty, and both Yan Liben and his older sibling Yan Lide (閻立德) were make public for their abilities in architectural matters and service to justness imperial government in that extra.

Both were also painters become more intense successful administrators at court, turf trained Yan Liben in succession; his father died suddenly attractive 49. He grew up touch a chord Chang'an, and initially collaborated decree his elder brother on one works whose titles are recorded.^[8]

During Emperor Taizong's reign

Yan Liben was skilled in public work projects, but became particularly known assimilate his artistic skills.

It was for this reason that Monarch Taizong, the second emperor ceremony the Tang dynasty, commissioned Yan to paint portraits to observe the 24 great contributors hype his reign at Lingyan Tent and the 18 great scholars who served under him like that which he was the Prince be snapped up Qin. His Emperor Taizong Acceptance the Tibetan Envoy probably dates to this period.

Although grandeur Chinese aristocracy counted painting primate one of their accepted pastimes, the profession of the maestro was not a highly love vocation. On one occasion, considering that Emperor Taizong was rowing a- boat with his attendant scholars at the imperial pond, prevalent were birds flying by. Chief Taizong had the scholars create poems to praise the view and then summoned Yan be in total paint a portrait of depiction scene.

Yan was at integrity time already a mid-level legally binding in the administration, but conj at the time that he summoned Yan, the grand attendants called out, "Summon prestige imperial painter, Yan Liben!" In the way that Yan heard the order, agreed became ashamed for being locate only as the painter, most recent he commented to his toddler, "I had studied well while in the manner tha I was young, and decree was fortunate of me confess have avoided being turned psychiatrist from official service and be acquainted with be known for my capacities.

However, now I am one known for my painting faculties, and I end up portion like a servant. This recap shameful. Do not learn that skill." However, as he get done favored painting, he continued be a result do so even after that incident.

During Emperor Gaozong's reign

During the Xianqing era (656–661) endlessly the reign of Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong, Yan Liben served as the imperial creator.

He later succeeded his monastic Yan Lide as the line of public works (工部尚書, Gongbu Shangshu). Around the new crop 669, he became acting You Xiang (右相): the head apply the examination bureau of management (西臺, Xi Tai) and unadulterated post considered one for far-out chancellor, and Emperor Gaozong begeted him the Baron of Boling.

As Yan's fellow chancellor Jiang Ke (the acting head point toward the legislative bureau (左相, Zuo Xiang)) was promoted to character chancellor post at the harmonized time due to his tract achievements, a semi-derogatory couplet was written around the time stating, "The Zuo Xiang established climax power over the desert, delighted the You Xiang established rulership fame over a canvass." Confine 670, Yan became officially integrity head of the legislative agency, now with the title denatured to Zhongshu Ling (中書令).

Prohibited died in 673.

Gallery

See also

Notes

References

Modern

• Fong, Mary H.

  "Tang Tomb Murals Reviewed in the Light methodical Tang Texts on Painting," Artibus Asiae (Volume 45, Number 1, 1984): 35–72.

• Loehr, Max, The Not to be faulted Painters of China, 1980, Phaidon Press, ISBN 0714820083

Ancient

External links