Artwork
元代帝半身像册-元太宗皇帝像
元代帝半身像册-元太宗皇帝像 is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1350 and is held in the collection of the National Palace Museum. The work is a silk painting from the Yuan dynasty that presents a half‑length portrait of a bearded man.
About this work
Overview
The work is a silk painting from the Yuan dynasty that presents a half‑length portrait of a bearded man. He wears a green hat adorned with a black band and a small triangular finial, and a tan robe. His expression is neutral and his gaze is directed straight ahead, set against a light beige background.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as an imperial portrait, likely representing Emperor Taizong of the Yuan court. The dignified pose, formal headgear, and restrained facial expression convey the authority and composure expected of a ruler, while the lack of overt symbolism suggests a focus on personal likeness rather than allegorical narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed on silk, the painting employs fine brushwork to delineate facial features and the intricate pattern on the hat. The muted palette of greens, tans, and beige creates a subtle contrast, characteristic of Yuan court portraiture, which favored realism and understated elegance over decorative excess.
History & Provenance
The piece forms part of a larger collection of imperial portrait albums compiled during the Yuan period. It entered the holdings of the National Palace Museum, where it is conserved as an example of courtly portraiture from the 13th–14th centuries, reflecting the museum’s broader assemblage of Chinese dynastic artworks.
Context
During the Yuan dynasty, portraiture served both political and ceremonial functions, documenting the lineage of the ruling family. This painting aligns with that tradition, offering a visual record of Emperor Taizong’s appearance for posterity and reinforcing the legitimacy of the Mongol‑Chinese imperial line within the cultural milieu of the era.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
