Early Medieval: original voices

17 Famous Early Medieval Malere Who Shaped the Movement

Wang Wei (699–759) is the most famous Early Medieval maler, whose singular vision gave us Seven and a Half Years Old og Winter Landscape. Next stand Dong Yuan, Zhang Xuan, Yan Liben og Wu Daozi. These 17 malere, from Emperor Yuan of Liang (born 508) to Zhao Chang (born 960), came from 7 countries.

Selected by OriginalUniqueArt.com

Our selection. Artists whose works our catalogue attaches to Early Medieval, in the order of our fame ranking. Artists born after 1955 with no Wikidata identifier stay out until verified. The Wikipedia figure counts our 32 languages with an article on the artist.

  1. Seven and a Half Years Old av Wang Wei1Wang Wei
  2. The Immortal Paradise Building in the Mountain av Dong Yuan2Dong Yuan
  3. Woman on a Horse av Zhang Xuan3Zhang Xuan

In brief

Early Medieval in brief

  • 17Kunstnere
  • 508–960Fødselsår
  • 7Fødselsland
  • 0Kvinner
  • 38Verker i vår katalog
Byer med flest fødsler
Chang'an (3), Nanjing (2), Yongji (1), Weifang (1)
Museer med flest nøkkelverk
National Palace Museum (5), The Palace Museum (5), Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (3), Metropolitan Museum of Art (3)

One artist at a time

17 Early Medieval Malere and their signature works

1of 17

Wang Wei 699–759

Kinesisk Born in Yongji Landskapsmaling Wikipedia in 19/32 languages

Wang Wei

Wang Wei (王維), født rundt år 699 i Qixian fylke i Shanxi-provinsen, står som en monumental skikkelse i Tang-dynastiets kunsthistorie —et vitnesbyrd om den harmoniske fusjonen mellom musikk, poesi, maleri og politisk lederskap. Reveredert ikke bare for sin kunstneriske produksjon, men også for sine dype filosofiske overbevisninger forankret i Chan-buddhismen, legemliggjør Wang Wei sin tidsånd: en intellektuell nysgjerrighet parret med en urokkelig hengivenhet til naturens skjønnhet.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

3of 17

Zhang Xuan 713–755

Kinesisk Born in Chang'an Tang-dynastiets maleri Wikipedia in 10/32 languages

Zhang Xuan

Zhang Xuan’s artistic output during the Tang Dynasty cemented his place among China's most celebrated painters. His influence extended beyond individual paintings; he helped shape the aesthetic sensibilities of subsequent generations, fostering a tradition of elegant realism that would define Chinese art for centuries to come. Similarly, "Spring Outing of the Tang Court," meticulously recreated by Li Gonglin, exemplifies Zhang Xuan's masterful command of perspective and color, establishing him as a pioneer in landscape painting.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

8of 17

Li Cheng 919–967

Chinese Born in Weifang Landscape painting Wikipedia in 11/32 languages

Li Cheng

This monumental painting, now housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, is a testament to his mastery of technique and his ability to evoke a powerful emotional response. The painting depicts a towering pine tree standing alone on a barren mountain peak, shrouded in mist. His loose brushwork, atmospheric effects, and emphasis on capturing the overall mood and atmosphere of the natural world became hallmarks of the “Northern Landscape” style—a dominant trend in Chinese painting during the Song Dynasty.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

12of 17

Li Zhaodao 675–758

Tang-dynastiet Born in Qin'an Qinglu Bai Wikipedia in 8/32 languages

Li Zhaodao

Tang-dynastiets landskap endrer karakter under penselen til Li Zhaodao. Dette er essensen av Qinglu Bai, en stil definert av sin tyngde og sitt lys. Som sønn av Li Sixun, en maler og adelig mesén, vokste Zhaodao opp i et hjem hvor tradisjonene innen kalligrafi og maling var det primære språket.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

13of 17

Han Huang 723–787

Chinese Wikipedia in 5/32 languages

Han Huang

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.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

14of 17

Guan Xiu 832–912

Chinese Born in Lanxi Tang Dynasty Wikipedia in 3/32 languages

Guan Xiu

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.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

17of 17

Zhao Gan

Chinese Jiangnan style Wikipedia in 3/32 languages

Zhao Gan

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 resulting imagery portrays the harsh conditions of fishermen shivering in their boats or under shelters amidst the falling snow.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

Signature works

Signature Early Medieval works

  1. Seven and a Half Years Old av Wang Wei

    Seven and a Half Years Old

    Wang Wei

    2011 · Song Art Museum, Beijing

  2. The Immortal Paradise Building in the Mountain av Dong Yuan

    The Immortal Paradise Building in the Mountain

    Dong Yuan

    950 · National Palace Museum, Taipei

  3. Woman on a Horse av Zhang Xuan

    Woman on a Horse

    Zhang Xuan

    Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, Providence

  4. Thirteen Emperors Scroll av Yan Liben

    Thirteen Emperors Scroll

    Yan Liben

    650 · Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

  5. Guanyin av Wu Daozi

    Guanyin

    Wu Daozi

    1885 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

  6. Untitled av Huang Quan

    Untitled

    Huang Quan

    The Palace Museum, Beijing

  7. In the Palace av Zhou Wenju

    In the Palace

    Zhou Wenju

    1133 · Cleveland Museum of Art

  8. Giant av Li Cheng

    Giant

    Li Cheng

    2019 · Fubon Art Foundation Very Fun Park, Taipei

A timeline

Early Medieval through its signature works

  1. 650
    Thirteen Emperors Scroll av Yan Liben
    Thirteen Emperors ScrollYan Liben
  2. 900
    Mt. K'uang-lu av Jing Hao
    Mt. K'uang-luJing Hao
  3. 960
    The Night Revels of Han Xizai av Gu Hongzhong
    The Night Revels of Han XizaiGu Hongzhong

Figures

The figures

Fødselsland
People's Republic of China7
Folkerepublikken Kina2
Han dynasty2
Han-dynastiet1
Liang dynasty1
Southern Tang1
Song dynasty1
Fødselsårhundre
6th århundre1
7th århundre4
8th århundre2
9th århundre2
10th århundre7
Museer som innehar deres viktigste verk
National Palace Museum5
The Palace Museum5
Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art3
Metropolitan Museum of Art3
China Modern and Contemporary Art Document Research Center2
Museum of Fine Arts2
Song Art Museum1
Cleveland Museum of Art1

Every name

List of 17 famous Early Medieval malere, every name

  1. 1Wang WeiWang WeiKinesisk · 699–759
  2. 2Dong YuanDong Yuan934–962
  3. 3Zhang XuanZhang XuanKinesisk · 713–755
  4. 4Yan LibenYan LibenChinese · 600–673
  5. 5Wu DaoziWu DaoziTang dynasty · 680–740
  6. 6Huang QuanHuang Quan903–965
  7. 7Zhou WenjuZhou WenjuChinese · 917–975
  8. 8Li ChengLi ChengChinese · 919–967
  9. 9Jing HaoJing Hao855–915
  10. 10Emperor Yuan of LiangEmperor Yuan of LiangLiang dynasty · 508–555
  11. 11Gu HongzhongGu HongzhongChinese · 937–975
  12. 12Li ZhaodaoLi ZhaodaoTang-dynastiet · 675–758
  13. 13Han HuangHan HuangChinese · 723–787
  14. 14Guan XiuGuan XiuChinese · 832–912
  15. 15Zhao ChangZhao ChangChinese · 960–1016
  16. 16Huang JucaiHuang JucaiChinese · 933–993
  17. 17Zhao GanZhao GanChinese ·

Questions

Your questions

  • Which Early Medieval maler is the most famous?

    First place goes to Wang Wei (#1); Dong Yuan (#2) and Zhang Xuan (#3) complete the podium.

  • Who are the 5 most famous Early Medieval malere?

    Wang Wei (#1), Dong Yuan (#2), Zhang Xuan (#3), Yan Liben (#4) og Wu Daozi (#5).

  • Which techniques define Early Medieval art?

    “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).

  • Where were most Early Medieval malere born?

    People's Republic of China: 7 of the 17 malere in this list were born there, then Folkerepublikken Kina (2) og Han dynasty (2).

  • 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) og Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (3).

  • In which period did Early Medieval art flourish?

    Most malere in this list were born in the 10th århundre (7 of 17), between 508 and 960 overall.

  • Who was the first Early Medieval maler?

    The earliest-born maler in this list is Emperor Yuan of Liang (#10), born in 508.

  • Which city was home to the most Early Medieval malere?

    Chang'an: 3 of the malere in this list were born there.

  • Who are the most famous Early Medieval malere from People's Republic of China?

    The highest-ranked malere born in People's Republic of China are Dong Yuan (#2), Zhou Wenju (#7), Li Cheng (#8), Jing Hao (#9) og Guan Xiu (#14).

  • Where can I see more works by these malere?

    Our catalogue holds 38 works by these malere.

Other movements

Famous artists of other movements

Rembrandt van Rijn av RembrandtBerømte Baroque-kunstnereRembrandt van Rijn · RembrandtInnhøsterne av Jean-François MilletBerømte Contemporary Realist-kunstnereInnhøsterne · Jean-François MilletStjernenatt (New York, MoMA) av Vincent Van GoghBerømte Impressionist-kunstnereStjernenatt (New York, MoMA) · Vincent Van GoghSaturn som fortærer sin sønn av Francisco GoyaBerømte Romanticist-kunstnereSaturn som fortærer sin sønn · Francisco GoyaDøden til Marat av Jacques-Louis DavidBerømte Neoclassicist-kunstnereDøden til Marat · Jacques-Louis DavidOpprinnelsen til verden av Gustave CourbetBerømte Realist-kunstnereOpprinnelsen til verden · Gustave CourbetMona Lisa (La Gioconda) av Leonardo Da VinciBerømte Renaissance-kunstnereMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo Da VinciJohannes Vermeer av Johannes VermeerBerømte Dutch Golden Age-kunstnereJohannes Vermeer · Johannes VermeerKomposisjon VII av Vasilij KandinskijBerømte Expressionist-kunstnereKomposisjon VII · Vasilij KandinskijAnkomst til Kythera av Antoine WatteauBerømte Rococo-kunstnereAnkomst til Kythera · Antoine Watteau

Other periods

Famous artists across the periods

Madonna i Majestet (Ognissanti Madonna) av GiottoBerømte High Medieval-kunstnereMadonna i Majestet (Ognissanti Madonna) · GiottoKunngjøringen og To Helgener av Simone MartiniBerømte Late Medieval-kunstnereKunngjøringen og To Helgener · Simone MartiniAdams skapelse av MichelangeloBerømte Renaissance-kunstnereAdams skapelse · MichelangeloKallingen av Matteus av CaravaggioBerømte Early Modern-kunstnereKallingen av Matteus · CaravaggioWater Lilies (eller Nympheas) av Claude MonetBerømte 19th Century-kunstnereWater Lilies (eller Nympheas) · Claude MonetGuernica av Pablo PicassoBerømte Modern-kunstnereGuernica · Pablo PicassoWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) av Yinka ShonibareBerømte Contemporary-kunstnereWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka Shonibare

Discover more

More artists to discover

De 100 mest kjente kunstnerne gjennom tidene De 100 mest kjente maleriene gjennom tidene Topp 100 kunstnere etter bevegelse