(b Wannian, Yongzhou [now Xi’an], Shaanxi Province, c. AD 600; d 673). Chinese painter and government official. He is the most famous painter associated with the imperial courts of the emperors TAIZONG (reg AD 626–49) and Gaozong (reg 649–83) and the most notable of the few Chinese court painters to attain exceptional official rank. He helped define the imperial taste of the Tang dynasty (618–907), depicting figures and narrative subjects in a detailed, colourful and realistic style.

• Yan Liben
  • China, §III, 3(ii)(d): Funerary and secular sculpture: Tang
  • China, §V, 4(i)(b): Court painters: Shang to Five Dynasties
  • China, §XIII, 16(ii): Jewellery: Han to Six Dynasties
  • attributions
    • China, §V, 3(vii)(b): Figure painting: Sui to Song
    • China, §V, 4(i)(a): Court painters: Introduction
    • Tibet, §V, 4: Dress
  • patrons and collectors
    • Taizong
  • works
    • China, §II, 6(ii)(c): Funerary architecture: Sui to Tang
    • China, §XIII, 8(iii): Dress: Sui to Yuan
    • Flags and standards, §2: Vexilloid standards