Tang Dynasty court ladies

Author: Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: This volume collects several of the few surviving portraits of women attributed to Tang Dynasty artists, all of which are rare treasures. Tang Dynasty portraits of women, whether in terms of composition or style, are independent and outstanding. This is because the Tang Dynasty's appreciation of beauty differed greatly from that of later dynasties. This is reflected in several aspects:
From a compositional perspective, the figures of Tang Dynasty women are plump and robust, contrasting sharply with the frail and delicate postures of women in later Ming and Qing Dynasty portraits, with slender eyebrows, fine eyes, and narrow shoulders. This vividly reflects the fashion of the time that valued a healthy physique, aligning with the vibrant and spirited spirit of the era.
From a color perspective, the use of color in Tang Dynasty portraits of women is magnificent and bright, creating a dazzling artistic effect. This differs greatly from the ink-and-wash tradition that Chinese painting favored after the Yuan Dynasty. Compared to contemporary European painting of the same period, it is far superior. No wonder the aesthetician Zhu Baihua was amazed by the ancient Chinese artists' exceptional skill in handling color when he saw Tang Dynasty murals.