Zhang Yanyuan
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Zhang Yanyuan (Chinese: 張彥遠; Pinyin: zhāng yànyuăn) also known as Aibin (Chinese: 愛賓; Pinyin: àibīn) was the art historian of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). He was born to a high ranking family Linqi County of Shanxi Province.
Zhang Yanyuan was a scholar, a calligrapher and a painter. He wrote several works about art and calligraphy, among them Fashu Yaolu (Chinese: 法書要錄; Pinyin: făshū yāolù), the "Compendium of Calligraphy", a collection of poems on color paper, and Lidai Minghua Ji (Chinese: 歷代名畫記 ; Pinyin: Lìdài mínghùa jì), or "Famous Paintings through History" - a general arts book, about the famous historical paintings. Zhang created his own style of art history writing, combining historical facts and art critic. His book also described the painter's lives thoroughly, including biography and works.
Zhang's art theory consists of several distinctive features: He agreed with the theory of Xie He (Chinese artist) that art had moral and political functions. Zhang also stressed the importance of originality and creativity in painting, opposing stereotyped painting styles. The painter's background also had a great influence on the painting.
