Zhang Xuan
Depicted Tang aristocratic life with fine lines
Zhang Xuan(张萱) (birth and death years unknown) was from Jingzhao (now Xi'an, Shaanxi) and was a painter during the Tang Dynasty. In the 11th year of Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era (723), he worked in the imperial painting office. He was famous for painting noble women and palace scenes with horses, often mentioned alongside the slightly later lady painter Zhou Fang(周昉) in art history. His works broke away from the traditional focus on women’s virtues and often depicted scenes of aristocratic life, like spring outings, snow viewing, and craft competitions. Existing Song Dynasty copies of his works, the *Preparing Silk* and *Lady Guo Enjoying Spring*, are held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Liaoning Provincial Museum, respectively. Zhang Xuan’s women were characterized by reddish shading around the ears, and his depictions of children combined childlike features with lively expressions. The *Xuanhe Catalogue of Paintings* records 47 of his works, including *Emperor Ming Enjoying the Cool* and *Dressing Up*, but the originals have all been lost. Technically, he used fine and uniform iron-wire outlines, and his designs for clothing patterns and color arrangements were uniquely creative. The existing copy of *Lady Guo Enjoying Spring* shows clothing and horse gear with Song Dynasty features, suggesting it is a Song imitation rather than a faithful reproduction of the Tang original.