Social changes 

The Sui dynasty ended the prolonged division between the Northern and Southern dynasties and reinstated the rule of Han ethnicity. Its many legacies in governance, infrastructure, and the military etc have had a long-lasting influence on Chinese history and laid the foundation for a stable and prosperous ensuing Tang Dynasty.

Arrived in Tang dynasty, with competent and efficient governance, national wealth and the population grew. Chang'an, the capital city, became the largest metropolitan city in the world during its time, attracting visitors, businessmen, and foreign settlers from other parts of the world. The general sentiment of society was confident, open, and liberal-minded. Cultural exchange was facilitated by the Silk Road and maritime routes. Artistic enrichment from neighbouring countries, Central Asia, and even as far as Europe can be seen in many artworks from that period. The art of Chinese painting prospered and flourished during this era. 

In art

The painting style of the Sui Dynasty is intricate and exquisite. The painters developed a strong capacity to capture both the form and the spirit of the subject in figure painting. In landscape painting, they depicted the balanced proportion of the figures within the landscape. Famous painters of the Sui Dynasty include ZHENG Fashi, DONG Boren, and ZHAN Zhiqian. 

The Tang period was a golden age of Chinese art and literature. The artistic characteristics inherited from the Sui Dynasty were further developed and reached a new and unprecedented level. 

- This is most evident in figure painting, which covers a wide range of subjects, from religious figures and historical stories to portraits of women and nobles. 


- In landscape painting, traditional colouring using Blue and Green minerals and the new technique using just water and ink were both further developed. In terms of composition, painters became more skilled at conveying the breadth and depth of the scenery. 


- Flower and bird painting matured. In the court, painters depicted various subjects, often exotic flowers and animals, using light and precise brushwork and vibrant colours. Among intellectuals, a different style emerged, using simple and concise brushstrokes to convey the delights and sentiments of rural settings, gaining momentum. 

Many celebrated painters were active during this period, including YAN Liben, WU Daozhi, ZhANG Xuan, LI Shixun, LI Zhaodao, HAN Wo, and HAN Kuang, among others.