Emperor T'ai-tsung of the T'ang Dynasty

Anonymous
Color on silk. Hanging scroll. 271 x 126.8 cm

The Emperor T'ai-tsung (reigned A.D. 627-649), whose personal name was Shih-min, was the second son of Emperor Kao-tsu. In the disturbed period at the end of the Sui dynasty he urged his father to raise an army, with which he succeeded in conquering and uniting China. During his father's reign he took the title of Prince of Ch'in, later succeeding to the throne himself. During his reign he carried out reforms such as the lightening of corvee service and criminal punishments, and the regulation of military service. He brought peace to the empire and spread China's influence beyond her borders.
In this standing portrait the Emperor T'ai-tsung is depicted with black hat of silk, dressed in a yellow belted gown with narror sleeves. The Emperor bears a majestic look. The paiting is done in great details. It is truely a masterpiece of Chinese portrait painting.

Click here for a larger picture
(image size between 100k - 300K)
and use the [BACK] Function key back to this page