Early Medieval pintores, ranked
The most famous Early Medieval pintor is Wang Wei (699–759), known for Seven and a Half Years Old e Three and a Half Years Old. Next come Dong Yuan, Zhang Xuan, Yan Liben e Wu Daozi. This ranking of the 17 most famous Early Medieval pintores runs from Emperor Yuan of Liang (born 508) to Zhao Chang (born 960), across 7 countries.
How this list is ranked. Artists whose works our catalogue files under Early Medieval, in the order of our fame ranking of artists. Artists without a Wikidata identifier born after 1955 are left out until verified. The Wikipedia figure next to each name is the number of our 32 languages in which Wikipedia has an article on the artist.
The essentials
Ranked, with their masterpieces
1of 17
Chinês Born in Yongji Pintura de Paisagem Wikipedia in 19/32 languages
Wang Wei (王維), nascido por volta de 699 d.C. no condado de Qixian, província de Shanxi, ergue-se como uma figura monumental na história da arte da Dinastia Tang — um testemunho da fusão harmoniosa entre música, poesia, pintura e liderança política.
2of 17
Born in Nanjing Wikipedia in 16/32 languages
Mestre da dinastia Tang do Sul, sua vida e sua pincelada emergiram durante um período de profundo florescimento cultural na era das Cinco Dinastias e Dez Reinos. Nascido em Zhongling, no que hoje é o condado de Jinxian, Dong Yuan não era apenas um pintor, mas um oficial cujo profundo envolvimento com o mundo natural ajudou a redefinir a própria essência do Shanshui, ou pintura de paisagem.
3of 17
Chinês Born in Changan Pintura da Dinastia Tang Wikipedia in 10/32 languages
Sua obra-prima, “Damas da Corte Preparando Seda Recém-Tecida”, permanece como uma das poucas representações sobreviventes deste momento crucial na vida da corte Tang — um testemunho do patrocínio de Huizong e da habilidade de Zhang Xuan em transmitir tanto o esplendor visual quanto a profunda emoção humana.
4of 17
Chinese Born in Chang'an Early Tang Dynasty realism Wikipedia in 13/32 languages
The Thirteen Emperors Scroll remains a profound piece of history, containing portraits that span from the Han dynasty to the Sui dynasty.
5of 17
Tang dynasty Born in Chang'an Realistic techniques and landscape painting Wikipedia in 11/32 languages
His work has been featured in television presentations, such as the 2004-5 production The Presentation of Buddha.
6of 17
Wikipedia in 10/32 languages
Throughout his life, Huang Quan moved through the imperial painting academies of the Former Shu, Later Shu, and Song dynasties.
7of 17
Chinese Born in Nanjing Tang Dynasty Figure Painting Wikipedia in 7/32 languages
Courtly Excellence: His role within the Southern Tang painting academy helped maintain high standards of artistic production during the Five Dynasties period.
8of 17
Chinese Born in Weifang Landscape painting Wikipedia in 11/32 languages
Li Cheng's most celebrated work, “Giant” (Zhong Tu), exemplifies his artistic innovations. The painting depicts a towering pine tree standing alone on a barren mountain peak, shrouded in mist. Artists such as Guo Xi, Fan Sang, and Dong Yuan all drew inspiration from Li Cheng’s work, further disseminating his artistic innovations throughout the art community.
9of 17
Born in Qinshui County Wikipedia in 8/32 languages
This rugged, monumental approach became the standard for the Northern Song period, establishing a lineage of greatness that included his pupil Guan Tong and the legendary Li Cheng.
10of 17
Liang dynasty Wikipedia in 7/32 languages
Emperor Yuan of Liang was not a visual artist; he was a ruler and a scholar. While he was a significant patron and collector of literature, he did not produce paintings or visual works himself.
11of 17
Chinese Wikipedia in 8/32 languages
By focusing on the vividness of expression and the weight of personal experience, Gu Hongzhong ensured that the spirit of the Southern Tang court would never be entirely forgotten.
12of 17
Dinastia Tang Born in Condado de Qin'an Qinglu Bai Wikipedia in 8/32 languages
A paisagem da Dinastia Tang transforma-se sob o pincel de Li Zhaodao. Como filho de Li Sixun, um pintor e nobre patrono, Zhaodao cresceu num ambiente onde as tradições da caligrafia e da pintura eram a linguagem primordial. Eventualmente, ele encontra o seu caminho para a escola de pintura da corte imperial, trabalhando sob o patrocínio do Imperador Huizong de Song.
13of 17
Chinese Wikipedia in 5/32 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
Chinese Born in Lanxi Tang Dynasty Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
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. Early Life & Education: Born in Lanxi, Zhejiang province, Guanxiū’s formative years were dedicated to monastic studies, shaping his worldview and artistic sensibilities.
Key works · The 100 most famous works
15of 17
Chinese Born in Guanghan Wikipedia in 5/32 languages
Though the specific details of his daily life remain obscured by the centuries, his influence persisted through the Song dynasty.
16of 17
Chinese Born in Chengdu Wikipedia in 4/32 languages
Born around 933, Huang Jucai lived through the shifting landscapes of the Later Shu and Song dynasties.
17of 17
Chinese Jiangnan style Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
His work is characterized by a focus on material details, including: To achieve the appearance of soft, thick snowflakes on silk, the artist used a technique of blowing white pigment through a screen to lightly project it onto the surface. The composition is marked by a delicate execution with few heavy outlines, reflecting the stylistic qualities of the Jiangnan landscape.
The paintings behind the names
Through time
In figures
| People's Republic of China | 6 |
|---|---|
| República Popular da China | 3 |
| Han dynasty | 2 |
| Dinastia Han | 1 |
| Liang dynasty | 1 |
| Southern Tang | 1 |
| Song dynasty | 1 |
| 6th século | 1 |
|---|---|
| 7th século | 4 |
| 8th século | 2 |
| 9th século | 2 |
| 10th século | 7 |
All of them, in order
Wang WeiChinês · 699–759Dong Yuan934–962Zhang XuanChinês · 713–755Yan LibenChinese · 600–673Wu DaoziTang dynasty · 680–740Huang Quan903–965Zhou WenjuChinese · 917–975Li ChengChinese · 919–967Jing Hao855–915Emperor Yuan of LiangLiang dynasty · 508–555Gu HongzhongChinese · 937–975Li ZhaodaoDinastia Tang · 675–758Han HuangChinese · 723–787Guan XiuChinese · 832–912Zhao ChangChinese · 960–1016Huang JucaiChinese · 933–993Zhao GanChinese · Your questions, answered
First place goes to Wang Wei (#1); Dong Yuan (#2) and Zhang Xuan (#3) complete the podium.
Wang Wei (#1), Dong Yuan (#2), Zhang Xuan (#3), Yan Liben (#4) e Wu Daozi (#5).
Nanjing: 2 of the pintores in this list were born there.
The highest-ranked pintores born in People's Republic of China are Zhou Wenju (#7), Li Cheng (#8), Jing Hao (#9), Guan Xiu (#14) e Zhao Chang (#15).
“It is noted that the painter Zhang Xuan received his formative training under Yan Liben, inheriting a profound understanding of composition and brushwork.” — from our biography of Yan Liben (#4).
The earliest-born pintor in this list is Emperor Yuan of Liang (#10), born in 508.
People's Republic of China: 6 of the 17 pintores in this list were born there, then República Popular da China (3) e Han dynasty (2).
Most pintores in this list were born in the 10th século (7 of 17), between 508 and 960 overall.
The museums holding the most key works of this list are The Palace Museum (6), National Palace Museum (5) e Metropolitan Museum of Art (4).
Our catalogue holds 38 works by these pintores. Each one can be ordered as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print.
Keep reading
Other movements
Artistas famosos de BaroqueA Ronda Noturna · Rembrandt
Artistas famosos de Contemporary RealistAs Catadoras · Jean-François Millet
Artistas famosos de ImpressionistNoite Estrelada (Nova York, MoMA) · Vincent Van Gogh
Artistas famosos de RomanticistSaturno Devorando Seu Filho · Francisco De Goya
Artistas famosos de NeoclassicistA Morte de Marat · Jacques-Louis David
Artistas famosos de RealistA Origem do Mundo · Gustave Courbet
Artistas famosos de RenaissanceMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo Da Vinci
Artistas famosos de Dutch Golden AgeJohannes Vermeer · Johannes Vermeer
Artistas famosos de ExpressionistComposição VII · Wassily Kandinsky
Artistas famosos de RococoA Embarcação para Citerê · Antoine WatteauOther periods
Artistas famosos de High MedievalMadonna in Maest (Ognissanti Madonna) · Giotto Di Bondone
Artistas famosos de Late MedievalA Anunciação e Dois Santos · Simone Martini
Artistas famosos de RenaissanceA Criação de Adão · Michelangelo
Artistas famosos de Early ModernA Vocação de São Mateus · Caravaggio
Artistas famosos de 19th CenturyLírios d'Água (ou Ninféias) · Claude Monet
Artistas famosos de ModernGuernica · Pablo Picasso
Artistas famosos de ContemporaryWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareMore rankings
