Early Medieval художники, ranked
The most famous Early Medieval художник is Ван Вей (699–759), known for Seven and a Half Years Old та Three and a Half Years Old. Next come Dong Yuan, Чжан Сюань, Yan Liben та Wu Daozi. This ranking of the 17 most famous Early Medieval художники 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
2of 17
Born in Nanjing Wikipedia in 16/32 languages
One of his most celebrated masterpieces, The Xiao and Xiang Rivers, serves as a testament to his compositional brilliance.
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.
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 | 7 |
|---|---|
| Китайська Народна Республіка | 2 |
| Han dynasty | 2 |
| Династія Хань | 1 |
| Liang dynasty | 1 |
| Southern Tang | 1 |
| Song dynasty | 1 |
| 6th століття | 1 |
|---|---|
| 7th століття | 4 |
| 8th століття | 2 |
| 9th століття | 2 |
| 10th століття | 7 |
All of them, in order
Ван ВейКитайська · 699–759Dong Yuan934–962
Чжан Сюань713–755Yan LibenChinese · 600–673Wu DaoziTang dynasty · 680–740Huang Quan903–965Zhou WenjuChinese · 917–975Li ChengChinese · 919–967Jing Hao855–915Emperor Yuan of LiangLiang dynasty · 508–555Gu HongzhongChinese · 937–975
Лі ЧжаодаоДинастія Тан · 675–758Han HuangChinese · 723–787Guan XiuChinese · 832–912Zhao ChangChinese · 960–1016Huang JucaiChinese · 933–993Zhao GanChinese · Your questions, answered
First place goes to Ван Вей (#1); Dong Yuan (#2) and Чжан Сюань (#3) complete the podium.
Ван Вей (#1), Dong Yuan (#2), Чжан Сюань (#3), Yan Liben (#4) та Wu Daozi (#5).
Nanjing: 2 of the художники in this list were born there.
The highest-ranked художники born in People's Republic of China are Dong Yuan (#2), Zhou Wenju (#7), Li Cheng (#8), Jing Hao (#9) та Guan Xiu (#14).
“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).
The earliest-born художник in this list is Emperor Yuan of Liang (#10), born in 508.
People's Republic of China: 7 of the 17 художники in this list were born there, then Китайська Народна Республіка (2) та Han dynasty (2).
Most художники in this list were born in the 10th століття (7 of 17), between 508 and 960 overall.
The museums holding the most key works of this list are The Palace Museum (6), Національний палацовий музей (5) та Метрополітен-музей (4).
Our catalogue holds 38 works by these художники. Each one can be ordered as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print.
Keep reading
Other movements
Знамениті художники BaroqueНічна варта · Рембрандт
Знамениті художники Contemporary RealistЗбирачки · Жан-Франсуа Мілле
Знамениті художники ImpressionistЗорі Ніч (Нью Йорк, MoMA) · Вінсент Ван Гог
Знамениті художники RomanticistСатурн, що пожирає свого сина · Франсіско-Хосе де Гоя
Знамениті художники NeoclassicistСмерть Марата · Жак-Луї Давід
Знамениті художники RealistПоходження світу · Гюстав Курбе
Знамениті художники RenaissanceМона Ліза (Джоконда) · Леонардо Да Вінчі
Знамениті художники Dutch Golden AgeДівчина з перловою сережкою · Ян Вермер
Знамениті художники ExpressionistКомпозиция VII · Кандінський Василь Васильович
Знамениті художники RococoВідплив до Кітер · Антуан ВаттоOther periods
Знамениті художники High MedievalМадонна у Маєсті (Огнассанті Мадонна) · Джотто
Знамениті художники Late MedievalБлаговіщення та двоє святих · Сімоне Мартіні
Знамениті художники RenaissanceСтворення Адама · Мікеланджело Буонарроті
Знамениті художники Early ModernПокликання святого Матвія · Мікеланджело да Караваджо
Знамениті художники 19th CenturyВодяні лілії (або Латаття) · Клод Моне
Знамениті художники ModernГерніка · Пабло Пікассо
Знамениті художники ContemporaryWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareMore rankings
