1of 17
Wang Wei 699–759
Chinese From Yongji Landscape Painting On Wikipedia in 19 of 32 languages
Wang Wei descended from a noble Han family that relocated eastward to Puzhou, Guangdong Province, seeking prosperity and stability.
New to Early Medieval? Start here
Famous Early Medieval Painters: Our Top 17
If you remember one Early Medieval painter, make it Wang Wei (699–759), the name behind Seven and a Half Years Old and Winter Landscape. After that come Dong Yuan, Zhang Xuan, Yan Liben and Wu Daozi. Our 17 picks go from Emperor Yuan of Liang (born 508) to Zhao Chang (born 960), from 7 countries.
How we picked them. We list the artists our catalogue links to Early Medieval, from the most famous down. Artists born after 1955 that we cannot yet check on Wikidata are left out. The Wikipedia number shows in how many of our 32 languages Wikipedia writes about them.
Quick facts
Early Medieval in a nutshell
- 17Artists
- 508–960Years of birth
- 7Countries of birth
- 0Women
- 38Works in our catalogue
- Museums holding the most key works
- National Palace Museum (5), The Palace Museum (5), Metropolitan Museum of Art (4), Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (3)
Meet them one by one
The 17 famous Early Medieval painters, from most famous down
2of 17
Dong Yuan 934–962
From Nanjing On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
A master of the Southern Tang dynasty, his life and brushwork emerged during a period of profound cultural flowering in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. Born in Zhongling, in what is now Jinxian County, Dong Yuan was not merely a painter but an official whose deep engagement with the natural world helped redefine the very essence of Shanshui, or landscape painting.
3of 17
Zhang Xuan 713–755
Chiński From Chang'an Malarstwo dynastii Tang On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages
While biographical details remain scarce, scholars believe he received formal training in painting under Yan Liben (顏 ਲੀବեն), a celebrated artist of his time who championed realism and employed innovative techniques—particularly the use of color—to depict scenes from daily life and court rituals.
4of 17
Yan Liben 600–673
Chinese From Chang'an Early Tang Dynasty realism On Wikipedia in 13 of 32 languages
In the early years of the Tang dynasty, a man named Yan Liben moved through the imperial halls of Chang'an with a dual identity that defined his very existence.
5of 17
Wu Daozi 680–740
Tang dynasty From Chang'an Realistic techniques and landscape painting On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages
Wu Daozi, also known as Daoxuan or Wu Tao Tzu, was a highly influential painter of the Tang dynasty. He initially mastered calligraphy under the guidance of Zhang Xu and He Zhizhang before specializing in the art of painting. Notable works associated with him include: The life of Wu Daozi is surrounded by numerous legends, particularly those involving commissions by Emperor Xuanzong.
6of 17
Huang Quan 903–965
On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages
This city, the capital of the Xichuan Circuit, offered a pocket of relative peace under the rule of Wang Jian. At the age of twelve, he entered the studio of Diao Guangyin, a painter who had traveled from the old capital of Chang'an to find safety in the southwest. He studied the delicate water paintings of Sun Wei and the landscape compositions of Li Sheng.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
7of 17
Zhou Wenju 917–975
Chinese From Nanjing Tang Dynasty Figure Painting On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages
Among those whose names remain partially veiled in mystery is Chou Wen-chu —also known as Zhou Wenju —a painter who flourished during the turbulent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
8of 17
Li Cheng 919–967
Chinese From Weifang Landscape painting On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages
Born in Qingzhou, Shandong province during the tumultuous Five Dynasties period (907-967), Li Cheng Liang emerged as a pivotal figure in Chinese landscape painting.
9of 17
Jing Hao 855–915
From Qinshui County On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages
Jing Hao, known by his courtesy name Haoran and art name Hongguality, was more than a mere painter; he was a visionary theorist and a master of the monumental. While much of the world around him descended into the chaos of warring factions, Jing Hao sought refuge in the rugged, mist-shrouded heights of the Taihang Mountains in Shanxi province.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
10of 17
Emperor Yuan of Liang 508–555
Liang dynasty On Wikipedia in 7 of 32 languages
Emperor Yuan of Liang, also known by his personal name Xiao Yi, was an emperor of the Chinese Liang dynasty. Born in 508, he was the seventh son of Emperor Wu. He was a renowned writer and a collector of ancient books, though he was often criticized by historians for prioritizing the elimination of political contenders over military action against the rebel general Hou Jing.
11of 17
Gu Hongzhong 937–975
Chinese On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages
In the twilight of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, a painter named Gu Hongzhong moved through the courts of the Southern Tang with a keen, observant eye. He lived during an era of shifting borders and fragile peace, serving likely as a court painter under the reign of Emperor Li Yu.
12of 17
Li Zhaodao 675–758
dynastia Tang From Qin'an Qinglu Bai On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages
Krajobraz dynastii Tang ulega transformacji pod pędzlem Li Zhaodao. Artysta odchodzi od miękkich, stłumionych tonów Szkoły Południowej, wybierając zamiast tego ciężką, świetlistą aplikację pigmentów mineralnych. To właśnie esencja stylu Qinglu Bai, definiowanego przez jego ciężar i światło.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
13of 17
Han Huang 723–787
Chinese On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages
Han Huang was a Chinese economist and politician of the Tang dynasty. Born in 723, he served as a chancellor during the reign of the Emperor Dezong. His career was marked by significant roles, including serving as the prefect of Jin Prefecture, the prefect of Su Prefecture, and the governor of Zhejiang Circuit.
14of 17
Guan Xiu 832–912
Chinese From Lanxi Tang Dynasty On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages
Guànxiū (832–912), a Buddhist monk, painter, poet, and calligrapher hailing from Chengdu, China, stands as one of the most celebrated figures of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–960). This tumultuous era witnessed the fragmentation of Tang imperial authority, prompting provincial courts to champion artistic traditions—a circumstance that fostered a miniature Tang court in Chengdu where Guanxiū flourished.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
15of 17
Zhao Chang 960–1016
Chinese From Guanghan On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages
Born in Guanghan, Zhao Chang lived through a period of profound cultural shifts in China. His life spanned the transition from the Later Zhou dynasty into the Northern Song dynasty, a time when the aesthetics of the imperial court were being defined. He was a student of the flower-and-bird painter Teng Changyou, learning the delicate balance required to capture life on silk or paper.
16of 17
Huang Jucai 933–993
Chinese From Chengdu On Wikipedia in 4 of 32 languages
Born around 933, Huang Jucai lived through the shifting landscapes of the Later Shu and Song dynasties. He was the fourth son of the painter Huang Quan, growing up in a household where the language of ink and brush was the primary way of understanding the world. This lineage provided him with a foundation of skill that he would carry into his own prolific career.
17of 17
Zhao Gan
Chinese Jiangnan style On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages
Zhao Gan was a Chinese painter active during the second half of the tenth century, originating from Nanjing. As a member of the painting academy at the court of the last emperor of the Southern Tang, Li Houzhu, he served as a student at the Imperial Painting Academy.
Pictures worth knowing
Famous Early Medieval works to recognise
When it happened
Early Medieval, step by step
- 650
- 900
- 960
Fun figures
The numbers behind the list
| People's Republic of China | 8 |
|---|---|
| Han dynasty | 2 |
| Dynastia Han | 1 |
| Liang dynasty | 1 |
| Southern Tang | 1 |
| Chińska Republika Demokratyczna | 1 |
| Song dynasty | 1 |
| 6th century | 1 |
|---|---|
| 7th century | 4 |
| 8th century | 2 |
| 9th century | 2 |
| 10th century | 7 |
Just the names
List of 17 famous Early Medieval painters to know
- 1Wang WeiChinese · 699–759
- 2Dong Yuan934–962
- 3Zhang XuanChiński · 713–755
- 4Yan LibenChinese · 600–673
- 5Wu DaoziTang dynasty · 680–740
- 6Huang Quan903–965
- 7Zhou WenjuChinese · 917–975
- 8Li ChengChinese · 919–967
- 9Jing Hao855–915
- 10Emperor Yuan of LiangLiang dynasty · 508–555
- 11Gu HongzhongChinese · 937–975
- 12Li Zhaodaodynastia Tang · 675–758
- 13Han HuangChinese · 723–787
- 14Guan XiuChinese · 832–912
- 15Zhao ChangChinese · 960–1016
- 16Huang JucaiChinese · 933–993
- 17Zhao GanChinese ·
Good questions
What people ask about Early Medieval
Who is the most famous Early Medieval painter?
Wang Wei (#1) is first in this ranking, followed by Dong Yuan (#2) and Zhang Xuan (#3).
Who are the 5 most famous Early Medieval painters?
Wang Wei (#1), Dong Yuan (#2), Zhang Xuan (#3), Yan Liben (#4) and Wu Daozi (#5).
Where are the great works of Early Medieval art today?
The museums holding the most key works of this list are National Palace Museum (5), The Palace Museum (5) and Metropolitan Museum of Art (4).
When were most Early Medieval painters born?
Most painters in this list were born in the 10th century (7 of 17), between 508 and 960 overall.
Which city produced the most Early Medieval painters?
Chang'an: 3 of the painters in this list were born there.
Who was the first Early Medieval painter?
The earliest-born painter in this list is Emperor Yuan of Liang (#10), born in 508.
Who are the great Early Medieval painters of People's Republic of China?
The highest-ranked painters born in People's Republic of China are Wang Wei (#1), Dong Yuan (#2), Zhou Wenju (#7), Li Cheng (#8) and Jing Hao (#9).
Which country produced the most Early Medieval painters?
People's Republic of China: 8 of the 17 painters in this list were born there, then Han dynasty (2) and Dynastia Han (1).
What techniques did Early Medieval painters use?
“A master of the Southern Tang dynasty, his life and brushwork emerged during a period of profound cultural flowering in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era.” — from our biography of Dong Yuan (#2).
Can I order a painting by a famous Early Medieval painter?
Our catalogue holds 38 works by these painters. Each one can be ordered as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print.
Read more
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