Yan Liben (c. 600-November 14, 673), formally Baron Wenzhen of Boling, was a Chinese painter and government official of the early Tang Dynasty.
His notable works include the Thirteen Emperors Scroll and Northern Qi Scholars Collating Classic Texts. 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".
From the years 669 to 673, Yan Liben also served as a chancellor under Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong (r. 649-683).
It is not known when Yan Liben was born. His ancestors were originally from Mayi (in modern Shuozhou, Shanxi), but had relocated to the Guanzhong region (i.e., the region around Chang'an) several generations prior to Yan Liben. Yan Liben's father Yan Pi was the deputy director of palace affairs during Sui Dynasty, and both Yan Liben and his older brother Yan Lide were known for their abilities in architectural matters and service to the imperial government in that area.
It was said that while Yan Liben was skilled in public work projects, he became particularly known for his artistic skills. It was for this reason that Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of Tang Dynasty, commissioned Yan to paint portraits to commemorate the 24 great contributors to his reign at Lingyan Pavilion and the 18 great scholars who served under him when he was the Prince of Qin.
Emperor of Wei
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibenEmperorofWenWei.jpg
Chen Feidi Tang of Wei
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/Liben-Chen_Feidi_Tang.jpg
Chen Shubao, Emperor of Chen
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibanChen_Shubao.jpg
Chen Wendi, Emperor of Chen
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibanChen_Wendi_Tang.jpg
Chen Xuandi, Emperor of Chen
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibanChen_Xuandi_Tang.jpg
Jin Wu Di
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibenJin_Wu_Di.jpg
(All text taken from Wikipedia)
His notable works include the Thirteen Emperors Scroll and Northern Qi Scholars Collating Classic Texts. 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".
From the years 669 to 673, Yan Liben also served as a chancellor under Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong (r. 649-683).
It is not known when Yan Liben was born. His ancestors were originally from Mayi (in modern Shuozhou, Shanxi), but had relocated to the Guanzhong region (i.e., the region around Chang'an) several generations prior to Yan Liben. Yan Liben's father Yan Pi was the deputy director of palace affairs during Sui Dynasty, and both Yan Liben and his older brother Yan Lide were known for their abilities in architectural matters and service to the imperial government in that area.
It was said that while Yan Liben was skilled in public work projects, he became particularly known for his artistic skills. It was for this reason that Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of Tang Dynasty, commissioned Yan to paint portraits to commemorate the 24 great contributors to his reign at Lingyan Pavilion and the 18 great scholars who served under him when he was the Prince of Qin.
Emperor of Wei
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibenEmperorofWenWei.jpg
Chen Feidi Tang of Wei
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/Liben-Chen_Feidi_Tang.jpg
Chen Shubao, Emperor of Chen
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibanChen_Shubao.jpg
Chen Wendi, Emperor of Chen
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibanChen_Wendi_Tang.jpg
Chen Xuandi, Emperor of Chen
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibanChen_Xuandi_Tang.jpg
Jin Wu Di
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/Azjahh/Art%20Museum/LibenJin_Wu_Di.jpg
(All text taken from Wikipedia)