Yin Lin

CHINA; Tang dynasty

Yin Lin was a painter who specialized in the depictions of Buddhist figures, deities, and ghosts. His murals were drawn with swift brushstrokes and delicate skill that earned him high repute.
According to Famous Paintings in History, his works include the murals on the west wall of the Relics Pagoda located southwest of Xingshan Temple in Shaanxi; Manjusri Bodhisattva Riding on a Lion on the east wall and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Riding on an Elephant on the west wall inside the Ci’en Temple Pagoda; he painted alongside Li Zhen a mural on a pagoda at Tang’an Temple, as well as a Bodhisattva below the Beiyun Pagoda of Zisheng Temple. In addition, Yin painted the Illustration of the Western Pure Land in Guangzhai Temple and created four murals alongside Li Chang at Zongchi Temple.
Records of Famous Paintings from the Tang Dynasty and Evaluation of Painters also recorded Yin’s works. His disciples, Li Zhongchang, Li Zhen, and Li Sizhen, were also skilled painters of Buddhist imagery.