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During the Tang Dynasty, along with the Chinese civilization reached its peak, the Chinese painting developed dramatically, both in topic and technique. During this period, Chinese painting had obtained and developed its characteristics into a new stage. Tang Dynasty painting also heavily influenced the paintings of the other countries or regions, especially of East Asia (Korea, Japan, Vietnam) and central Asia.

Contents

Early period

Mid & Late period

Influence

See also

Early period

During the early Tang period, the painting was mainly inherited from the previous Sui Dynasty. In this period, the "painting of people" (人物画) developed a lot. Buddhism painting and the "court painting" played a major role, including painting of Buddha, monk, and noble people etc.
Brothers Yan Liben (阎立本) and Yan Lide (阎立德) were two major figures during this period, especially Yan Libeng, his works including ''Emperor Tang Taizong Meeting Tibetian Emissaries'' (太宗步辇图) and ''Emperors of Previous Dynasties'' (历代帝王图) are quite noted in history.

Mid & Late period

The Shan-shui painting developed quickly in this period and reached its first mature. Li Sixun (李思训) and Li Zhaodao (李昭道) (father & son) were the most famous painters in this domain.
The Renwu painting (painting of people) reached a climax, the giant master in this topic could be Wu Daozi (吴道子), who is regarded as the "Sage of Painting".
Wu's works including ''God Sending a Son'' (天王送子图). Wu created a new technique of drawing named "Drawing of Water Shield" (莼菜描).
the great poet Wang Wei (王维) first created the brush and ink painting of Shan-shui (水墨山水画). He further combined literature especially poem with painting in a much closer way.
The theory of painting also sufficiently developed, Buddhism, Taoism, and traditional literature were obsorbed and combined into painting. The mural painting (壁画), ceiling painting, cave painting, tomb painting, etc those paintings on architectural strutures were very popular, such as the paintings in Mogao caves in Xinjiang during this period.

Influence

Tang Dynasty painting has a very heavy influence in East Asia painting and central Asia painting.

See also

★ Chinese art

★ Chinese painting

★ Ming Dynasty painting