silk painting with a figure driving a dragon

silk painting with a figure driving a dragon

Excavated from the Tombs of the States of Chu, Zidanku, Changsha City, Hunan Province, 1973
The figure in the silk painting is vividly represented as one can observe the fine and exquisite lines of his facial expression. The figure’s beard and eyebrows are clearly discernible, showing a carefree expression. The lines representing the clothes worn by the figure is very smooth, perfectly showing the texture and gracefulness of the robe. It can be regarded as a masterpiece among China’s earliest portraits. Together with Silk painting with female figure, dragon and phoenix patterns, they are called the two treasures of the paintings during the pre-Qin period.