Thirteen Emperor Roll
The Thirteen Emperor Scroll ( Chinese 歷代 帝王 圖 卷 / 历代 帝王 图 卷 , Pinyin lì dài dì wáng tú juǎn ) is a large-format painting measuring 51.3 cm × 5.31 m, which is done in ink and color on silk is painted. It comes from the early Tang dynasty in China and is traditionally attributed to the painter Yan Liben (approx. 600–673).
Thirteen emperors from different predecessor dynasties are depicted on the roll, embodying different virtues or weaknesses. The role is exhibited today in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (Massachusetts, USA). It came there in 1931 as part of the Denman Waldo Ross collection .
Depicted emperors in chronological order
Cutout | Name and dynasty | Reign | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Zhao from Han | 87 BC Chr. - 74 BC Chr. | Stabilized the Western Han Dynasty | |
Guangwu from Han | A.D. 25 - A.D. 57 | Established the Eastern Han Dynasty and united China | |
Wen of Wei | 220-226 | Founded the Wei Dynasty | |
Zhaolie from Shu Han | 221-223 | Established the Shu Han | |
Since from Wu | 229-252 | Founded the Wu Dynasty | |
Wu from Jin | 265-290 | Founded the Jin Dynasty and united China | |
Wu from Zhou | 561-578 | Strived to unite China | |
Wen from Chen | 560-566 | Second emperor of the Chen dynasty | |
Fei from Chen | 566-568 | Third Emperor of the Chen Dynasty, under whom the empire became troubled | |
Xuan from Chen | 568-582 | Fourth Emperor of the Chen Dynasty, stabilized the empire | |
Chen Shubao | 582-589 | Last emperor of the Chen dynasty, the empire perished | |
Wen from Sui | 581-604 | Founded the Sui Dynasty | |
Yang from Sui | 604-618 | Second and last emperor of the Sui dynasty, pursued ambitious building projects |
literature
- Eli Lancman: Chinese Portraiture . Tuttle, Tokyo, etc. a. 1966, ISBN 0-80480-104-5 . (English)
Web links
Commons : Thirteen Emperor Roll - Album with pictures, videos and audio files
- Presentation at the MFA Boston (English)
- Details Thirteen Emperors role (English)