Leading a Camel

Western Jin (266-316). Each paint is 17cm*36cm. Brick painting in tomb No.7 of Western Jin Dynasty, Jiayuguan, Gansu Province.

A group of brick tombs dating back to the 3rd century AD, discovered near the western end of the Great Wall in the vicinity of Jiayuguan, Gansu province, also exhibit unique decorative styles. The arch-shaped tomb roofs are adorned with various independent scenes, resembling a series of continuous comic strips when viewed together. Each brick used for painting murals is coated with a thin layer of white plaster, and then colorful and flowing lines are drawn on top, depicting scenes of farming, hunting, and moments in soldiers' lives. 

Western Jin (266-316). Each paint is 17cm*36cm. Brick painting in tomb No.7 of Western Jin Dynasty, Jiayuguan, Gansu Province.

This piece is compiled from the Chinese edition of Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting by Foreign Languages Press and Yale University Press, translated by Chen Ying.