Yan Liben's "Step Map" (Tang)
Text/Li Zihou
The famous work of the Tang Dynasty painter Yan Liben, "Step Map", is the earliest historical picture that reflects the demand for unity and unity of the ancient Han and Tibetan nationalities in China. It truly records the important historical event of intimate exchanges between the Han and Tibetan nationalities more than 1,300 years ago, that is, the marriage of the famous Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo. According to records, the Tibetan Tubo king Zampu sent an envoy to Chang'an to ask for marriage, and in 640 AD (the fourteenth year of Zhenguan), Tang Taizong Li Shimin accepted the marriage request and promised to marry Princess Wencheng to Tubo Songzan Gampo. Songzan Gampo then sent the emissary Lu Dongzan to Chang'an to marry. The picture shown in the "Step Map" depicts the scene of Tang Taizong receiving Lu Dongzan.
On the right side of the "Step Diagram", Tang Taizong sat on the rim, and the nine palace ladies were arranged left and right, some carrying and supporting the rim, some holding fans, some playing umbrellas, each with a posture. On the left side of the painting, there is a bearded wat holder, who is the ceremonial officer of the asaka class. The successor was lu dongzan, the tibetan emissary. The last person was the interpreter of the DPRK. Among these two groups of characters, the main ones are Tang Taizong and Lu Dongzan. Their identities and personalities are portrayed very vividly and vividly, thus powerfully expressing the storyline depicted in the work. Tang Taizong was a well-known emperor in history and a statesman with achievements in governing the country and the country. The author expresses it in a praiseworthy tone on the picture. He was at ease, and his majestic expression revealed his love and praise for the Messenger.
Through the depiction of clothing, demeanor, especially appearance, the painter vividly portrayed the spiritual temperament of the Tibetan emissary Lu Dongzan. Lu Dongzan's cheeks are plump, his nose is high, and his black beard reflects the slightly rough personality characteristics of the Tibetan people. In particular, the several long lines on his broad forehead, combined with his rustic countenance, show his intellect and rich experience. He behaved modestly, appeared competent in awe, and was credible in his humility. The performance method of "Step Diagram" is concise and clear, abandoning all unnecessary backgrounds and props to make the characters more prominent. The author uses the costumes and appearance characteristics of the characters to make the different nationalities and different identities of each character get a proper performance, making people clear at a glance.
In this painting, Tang Taizong is undoubtedly the most important figure. Although he is placed on the right side of the painting, he is surrounded by palace women, and it is not easy to stand out. However, the author used ingenious artistic means to achieve the desired effect. In china's traditional painting, in order to highlight the protagonist of many characters, the painter often paints him slightly larger than other characters. While using the same technique, the "Step Diagram" uses the two large fans held by the palace maid, the two longest lines on the screen, to intersect the "human" glyph above Tang Taizong's head, directing people's eyes to the protagonist. And the stone green
The strong color contrast between the color fan and the vermilion umbrella enhances its artistic effect. In addition, the contrast between the colored dress of the palace maid and the simple color of Tang Taizong's large piece, and in the costumes of the three people on the left side of the picture, Lu Dongzan's thick and thin, colorful robe and the contrasting technique of the other two large blocks of color fully reflect the author's ingenuity.
"Step Drawing" is a heavy color painting. He paints his face with heavy color brushes and halos, and the effect is simple and clear. But the color does not cover the ink, and the expressiveness of the line is still evident here. The author inherits the artistic achievements of the previous generation of outstanding painters Gu Kaizhi and Zhang Shengxuan. The lines are thin and straight, elastic.
Yan Liben (1673), the author of the "Step Map", was a famous painter who was representative of the early Tang Dynasty. His father, Yan Bi, was a famous craftsman and engineer of the Sui Dynasty, who was good at building palaces and building the Great Wall. His elder brother, Yan Lide, was also a famous painter. Yan Liben inherited the family business, and worked hard to learn and absorb nutrition from the art of the predecessors, and achieved high achievements in figure painting and other aspects. History calls him "capable of calligraphy and painting, and the imperial court name is Danqing Deification". Yan Liben is an epoch-making figure who opened a generation of painting styles. Emperor Taizong of Tang was then the Shangshu of the Ministry of Works, and the official was the Right Minister. His paintings have many major themes, in addition to the "Step Map", there are also "Portraits of Emperors of Past Dynasties", "Tribute Diagrams", "Statues of Heroes of Lingyange" and so on. The "Step Map" introduced here fully reflects Yan Liben's artistic style and political accomplishment.