Summary: The rubbing of a brick portrait at the China Qingdao Han Portrait Brick Museum depicts a group of diplomatic envoys in the Han Dynasty. For most people interested in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), an era known in Chinese history for its prosperity and i
For most people interested in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), an era known in Chinese history for its prosperity and inclusiveness, historical records and literary works offer insights.
Now, the Chinese Han Painting Exhibition at the Beijing Shanshui Art Museum can satiate their curiousity. The artwork is on display through April 12.
The exhibition, co-organized by the museum and the Chinese Han Painting Society, comprises 587 pieces of Han painting rubbings provided by the country's 29 museums and institutions.
The showpieces include Han Dynasty stone portraits, brick portraits, murals, silk paintings and lacquer paintings. Stone and brick portraits far outnumber other kinds of exhibits as they are widely distributed in the country, in places such as Central China's Henan province, East China's Shandong province, and Northwest China's Shaanxi province.
Elaborate funerals prevailed during the Han Dynasty and this can be attested by the abundant stone and brick portraits in various themes and styles excavated from tombs belonging to that period.
These portraits are based on diverse themes, including legendary emperors like the Yellow Emperor and Fuxi, and legendary creatures the like qilin (a Chinese unicorn) and yuren, or the feather man (a Taoist god). Apart from these, many more portraits mirror various aspects of everyday life and thus can be called an encyclopedia of the Han dynasties.