Background

"The Royal Carriage"is a painting by Yan Liben, an artist from the Tang Dynasty. It depicts Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, receiving Lu Dongtsam, an envoy from the Tibetan regime, who was to accompany Princess Wencheng to Tibet. The painting celebrates the historical event of the marriage of Songtsam Gampo, Head of Tibet, and Princess Wencheng in the 15th year of Taizong's reign (AD 641). In the painting, the stately Emperor sits on a royal carriage attended by several maids of honour, and Lu Dongtsam follows the Protocol Officer to an audience with the Emperor. With adept artistry, Yan Liben depicts the scene in detail, vividly recording the grand occasion linking the Han and Tibetan people in historical amity. The status, bearing and stature of the characters and their relationship to one another are lifelike and accurately protrayed in the painting. Possessing great historic and artistic value, "the Royal Carriage" is a treasure in China's cultural heritage.

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