Wang Ai

CHINA, Henan, Kaifeng; Five Dynasties to Northern Song dynasty

Wang Ai was a painter-in-attendance in the Hanlin Academy. He studied the style of Wu Daozi and was skilled in creating portraits and depicting Buddhist figures. During the Later Jin dynasty (936–946), Wang, along with Jiao Zhu and Wang Renshou, was held hostage until the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) was established. After being reappointed as the painter-in-attendance, he was ordered to paint portraits of imperial strategists, including Song Qiqiu, Han Xizai, and Lin Renzhao. He also painted images of the Empress Dowager and Emperor Taizu (reigned 960–976) of the Northern Song dynasty.
Other works by Wang include a mural of Maitreya at Jingde Temple. In addition, alongside Sun Mengqing, he painted the images of Heavenly Kings on the east wall of Manjusri Shrine in Kaibao Temple in Henan. Wang’s works were recorded in Overview of Painting and Evaluation of Famous Painters of the Song Dynasty, and were notable for his unlimited creativity, superb skills, and meticulousness.