Yan Liben

[6] Yan Liben is documented as producing other works for the tomb, a portrait series that is now lost, and perhaps designed the whole structure.

Although the Chinese aristocracy counted painting as one of their accepted pastimes, the profession of the painter was not a highly venerated vocation.

On one occasion, when Emperor Taizong was rowing a boat with his attendant scholars at the imperial pond, there were birds flying by.

When Yan heard the order, he became ashamed for being known only as the painter, and he commented to his son, "I had studied well when I was young, and it was fortunate of me to have avoided being turned away from official service and to be known for my abilities.

He later succeeded his brother Yan Lide as the minister of public works (工部尚書, Gongbu Shangshu).

Around the new year 669, he became acting You Xiang (右相): the head of the examination bureau of government (西臺, Xi Tai) and a post considered one for a chancellor, and Emperor Gaozong created him the Baron of Boling.

In 670, Yan became officially the head of the legislative bureau, now with the title changed to Zhongshu Ling (中書令).