As with other very early Chinese paintings, the scroll in Beijing is probably a faithful later copy of Yan Liben's original, perhaps from the Song dynasty, but the imperial collectors' seals and added comments show that it was very highly valued from at least the start of the 14th century.[4]
Background
In the seventh century, Tibet grew stronger and stronger.[5] In 634, Songtsen Gampo sent an envoy to Chang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty, to propose a marriage. Emperor Taizong of Tang accepted the proposal and decided to give him his daughter Princess Wencheng in marriage. In 641, Gar Tongtsen Yülsung (祿東贊), the prime minister of Songtsen Gampo, came to Chang'an to accompany the princess back to Tibet. She brought with her many vegetable seeds, tea, books, and craftsmen which played a very important role in the Tibetan cultural and economical development.
Characters in the painting
The emperor sits on the sedan surrounded by maids holding fans and canopy. He looks composed and peaceful. On the left, one person in red is the official[6] in the royal court. The envoy stands aside seriously and holds the emperor in awe. The last person is an interpreter.
↑Murray, Julia K., Mirror of Morality: Chinese Narrative Illustration and Confucian Ideology, 2007, University of Hawaii Press, Шаблон:ISBN, 9780824830014, google books
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