Zhang Shengwen

CHINA; Southern Song dynasty

Zhang Shengwen was a painter who was known for his delicate and colorful paintings, especially those of Buddhist figures. Between 1172 and 1175, Zhang illustrated Long Scroll of Buddhist Images. The scroll is divided into three sections and currently kept at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan. The first section depicts Emperor Duan Zhixing paying homage to the Buddha. The second section is the primary painting of the scroll in which over 100 Buddhist figures are portrayed. The third section illustrates 16 Kings. The scroll in its entirety is rich in content and beautifully illustrated with contour drawings of figures that are fluid and straight. Gold is delicately applied in addition to the overall coloration. The scroll features several cartouches; this type of depiction style was considered an important aspect of the religious and Buddhist images of the Dali Kingdom (937–1253), in which Zhang was active.