The Thirteen Emperors

Thirteen emperors from Emperor Zhaodi (94-74 B.C.) of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-9 A.D.) to Emperor Yangdi (569-618) of the Sui Dynasty (581-618) were illustrated in the painting. Each emperor is surrounded by several servants, making the total number of characters 46. There are texts next to each group of characters, stating the time span of the emperor’s reign and His Majesty’s attitude towards Confucianism and Taoism.

Normally, portraits of historical figures like this one were created for education and edification as opposed to appreciation. Therefore, the illustration of the 13 emperors was not based on objective reality, rather, a historical attitude towards these figures could be sensed. The accomplished kings such as the founder of a certain dynasty were depicted taller and bigger, with noble bearings, while those fatuous emperors in history such as those who led to the subjugation of their states look either dispirited or unfriendly.

It is believed that the original work is attributed to the heavyweight painter Yan Liben(601-673) of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), as, first, the last emperor of the 13 being one from the Sui Dynasty indicates that the painter is highly possible to be from the following dynasty which is Tang, and second, to illustrate the appearances and also convey the inner world of so many historical figures require exceptional skills which is out of the reach of common artists. It is Fu Bi (1004-1083), a famous prime minister of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), who first associated this painting with Yan Liben. History of changing hands of this painting has been in official record until it was looted and sold to overseas in the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).