Chang Chongyin

CHINA, Shaanxi, Xi’an; Tang dynasty

Chang Chongyin, son of the artist Chang Can, was a painter expertise in depicting Buddhist images and human figures, particularly portraits. He excelled at catching a person’s expression. Monk Guanxiu of the early Five Dynasties (907–960) once remarked, “No one is superior to Chang and none will surpass him.”
On a trip to Shu (present day Sichuan) with Emperor Xizong (reigned 873–888), he was requested to complete a portrait of the emperor to be kept at Daci Temple when the painter-in-attendance, Sengyao, could not succeed in capturing the emperor’s expression. Chang effortlessly and efficiently completed the portrait, gaining recognition from the officials who declared him the successor of Sengyao. Emperor Xizong subsequently requested Chang to paint portraits of over 100 court officials and granted him an official status.
His works include the portrait of Master Sizhou kept at Xingshan Hall of Daci Temple in Sichuan, portrait of Zhang Jushi from Huating, and Wanli Temple’s Heavenly King Holding a Pagoda, all of which are listed in Records of Famous Paintings in Yizhou and Overview of Painting.