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China: Emperor Houzhu of Chen (553–60) from the 'Thirteen Emperors Scroll' painted by Tang Dynasty court painter Yan Liben (600-673).

China: Emperor Houzhu of Chen (553–60) from the 'Thirteen Emperors Scroll' painted by Tang Dynasty court painter Yan Liben (600-673).

Chen Shubao (553–604), often known in history as Houzhu of Chen, posthumous name Duke Yang of Changcheng, courtesy name Yuanxiu), nickname Huangnu, was the last emperor of the Chinese Chen Dynasty. At the time of his ascension, Chen was already facing military pressure by Sui Dynasty on multiple fronts, and, according to traditional historians, Chen Shubao was an incompetent ruler who was more interested in literature and women than in the affairs of the state. In 589, Sui forces captured his capital Jiankang and seized him, ending Chen and unifying China after nearly three centuries of division, which started during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin. He was taken to the Sui capital Chang'an, where he was treated kindly by Emperor Wen of Sui until his death in 604, during the reign of Emperor Wen's son Emperor Yang of Sui.

Yan Liben (Wade–Giles: Yen Li-pen, c. 600-673), formally Baron Wenzhen of Boling, was a Chinese painter and government official of the early Tang Dynasty. His notable works include the Thirteen Emperors Scroll and Northern Qi Scholars Collating Classic Texts. He also painted the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion, under Emperor Taizong of Tang, commissioned in 643 to commemorate 24 of the greatest contributors to Emperor Taizong's reign, as well as 18 portraits commemorating the 18 great scholars who served Emperor Taizong when he was the Prince of Qin. Yan's paintings included painted portraits of various Chinese emperors from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) up until the Sui Dynasty (581-618) period

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