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Emperor Taizong Receiving the Tibetan Envoy (Chinese:步輦圖;pinyin:Bùniǎn Tú), also referred to asBunian Tu,[1] is a painting on silk byYan Liben of theTang dynasty. It depicts a scene in 640 when theTibetan Empire envoyGar Tongtsen Yulsung led an embassy to the court of theEmperor Taizong of Tang inChang'an. The painting measures 129 centimetres (51 in) long by 38.5 centimetres (15.2 in) wide.[2] It is housed in thePalace Museum in Beijing.[3]
As with other early Chinese paintings, the scroll in Beijing is probably a faithful later copy of Yan Liben's original, perhaps from theSong 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]
In the seventh century, Tibet grew stronger and stronger.[5] In 634,Songtsen Gampo sent an envoy toChang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty, to propose a marriage.Emperor Taizong of Tang accepted the proposal and decided to give him his daughterPrincess 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.
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.
