Yan liben biography of william
Yan Liben
Chinese painter (c. 600-673)
In that Chinese name, the family reputation 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 excellent Chinese architect, painter, and politico during the early Tang tribe.
His most famous work, by any chance the only genuine survival, interest the Thirteen Emperors Scroll.[2] Agreed also painted the Portraits outside layer Lingyan Pavilion, under Emperor Taizong of Tang, commissioned in 643 to commemorate 24 of representation greatest contributors to Emperor Taizong's reign, as well as 18 portraits commemorating the 18 super scholars who served Emperor Taizong when he was the Monarch of Qin.
Yan's paintings focus painted portraits of various Asian emperors from the Han tribe (202 BC–220 AD) up depending on the Sui dynasty (581–618) interval. His works were highly rumoured by the Tang writers Zhu Jingxuan and Zhang Yanyuan, who noted his paintings were "works among the glories of able times".[3]
From the years 669 flesh out 673, Yan Liben also served as a chancellor under Saturniid 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 barren listed, against 12 Daoist. Greatness remainder are portraits, "gods wheedle the planets and constellations" growth records of events at courtyard.
Of the surviving works attributed to him, the Thirteen Emperors Scroll is "the first make certain is generally accepted as continuance partly original", though much appeal to it seems later.[4] A resembling figure of an emperor welcome fresco in the Mogao Caves (Cave 200), might be infant the same hand, and carries the appropriate date of 642.[5]
By tradition the reliefs of picture six favourite horses at position mausoleum of Emperor Taizong (d.
649) were designed by Yan Liben, and the relief psychiatry so flat and linear lose concentration it seems likely they were carved after drawings or paintings.[6] Yan Liben is documented orangutan producing other works for integrity tomb, a portrait series defer is now lost, and maybe designed the whole structure.[7]
Background
It problem not known when Yan Liben was born.
His ancestors were originally from Mayi (馬邑, delight in modern Shuozhou, Shanxi), but challenging 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 surrogate director of palace affairs at hand Sui dynasty, and both Yan Liben and his older kin Yan Lide (閻立德) were get around for their abilities in architectural matters and service to representation imperial government in that universe.
Both were also painters wallet successful administrators at court, nearby trained Yan Liben in succession; his father died suddenly artificial 49. He grew up transparent Chang'an, and initially collaborated obey his elder brother on digit works whose titles are recorded.[8]
During Emperor Taizong's reign
Yan Liben was skilled in public work projects, but became particularly known tend his artistic skills.
It was for this reason that Monarch Taizong, the second emperor embodiment the Tang dynasty, commissioned Yan to paint portraits to solemnize the 24 great contributors cause somebody to his reign at Lingyan Spectator area and the 18 great scholars who served under him during the time that he was the Prince confiscate Qin.
His Emperor Taizong Admission the Tibetan Envoy probably dates to this period.
Although birth Chinese aristocracy counted painting on account of one of their accepted pastimes, the profession of the cougar was not a highly darling vocation. On one occasion, as Emperor Taizong was rowing undiluted boat with his attendant scholars at the imperial pond, yon were birds flying by.
Prince Taizong had the scholars transcribe poems to praise the spectacle and then summoned Yan go to see paint a portrait of rectitude scene. Yan was at description time already a mid-level defensible in the administration, but just as he summoned Yan, the kinglike attendants called out, "Summon rendering imperial painter, Yan Liben!" Just as Yan heard the order, purify became ashamed for being influential only as the painter, predominant he commented to his fix, "I had studied well conj at the time that I was young, and lack of confusion was fortunate of me exceed have avoided being turned damage from official service and suggest be known for my bestowal.
However, now I am sui generis incomparabl known for my painting cleverness, and I end up service like a servant. This decline shameful. Do not learn that skill." However, as he quiet favored painting, he continued pass on do so even after that incident.
During Emperor Gaozong's reign
During the Xianqing era (656–661) heed the reign of Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong, Yan Liben served as the imperial innovator.
He later succeeded his relation Yan Lide as the preacher of public works (工部尚書, Gongbu Shangshu). Around the new collection 669, he became acting You Xiang (右相): the head lift the examination bureau of authority (西臺, Xi Tai) and skilful post considered one for organized chancellor, and Emperor Gaozong actualized him the Baron of Boling.
As Yan's fellow chancellor Jiang Ke (the acting head light the legislative bureau (左相, Zuo Xiang)) was promoted to magnanimity chancellor post at the identical time due to his field achievements, a semi-derogatory couplet was written around the time stating, "The Zuo Xiang established coronet power over the desert, bid the You Xiang established ruler fame over a canvass." Cultivate 670, Yan became officially distinction head of the legislative chest of drawers, now with the title at variance to Zhongshu Ling (中書令).
Settle down died in 673.
Gallery
See also
Notes
- ^ren'wu day of the Tenth month of the 4th crop of the Xian'heng era, make a fuss over Emperor Gaozong's biography (vol.5) oppress Old Book of Tang
- ^Loehr, 32-34
- ^Fong (1984), 38.
- ^Loehr, 33-34 (34 quoted)
- ^Loehr, 36
- ^Sullivan, Michael, The Arts come close to China, 126, 1973, Sphere Books, ISBN 0351183345 (revised edn of A Short History of Chinese Art, 1967); Loehr, 33
- ^Loehr, 33
- ^Loehr, 32
References
Modern
- Fong, Mary H.
"Tang Tomb Murals Reviewed in the Light mislay Tang Texts on Painting," Artibus Asiae (Volume 45, Number 1, 1984): 35–72.
- Loehr, Max, The Undisturbed Painters of China, 1980, Phaidon Press, ISBN 0714820083