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Primary sourcePaintingearly 15th century

Seated Portrait of Ming Chengzu

Unknown · early 15th century

An early fifteenth-century painted portrait showing the Yongle Emperor, labelled by his temple name Chengzu.

This early portrait, labelled with the emperor's temple name Chengzu, shows how he was depicted close to his own lifetime.

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Painted portrait of a bearded man in a black cap and a bright yellow robe with a red collar, set against a pale background with decorative blue and green patterns. The figure faces forward with a stern expression.
Seated Portrait of Ming Chengzu (the Yongle Emperor), hanging scroll, early 15th century.

About this source

What it is

This is a painted portrait of a seated man identified as Chengzu, the temple name of the Yongle Emperor. It is dated to the early fifteenth century, placing it close to the emperor's own lifetime, though the painter is unknown.

Why it matters

Because it dates from close to the emperor's reign, this portrait is valuable evidence for how he and his court wished him to be remembered and recognized. The formal dress and posture reflect the conventions used for imperial portraiture at the time.

Look closer

  • What clues in the clothing and posture suggest this is a formal, official image rather than a casual likeness?
  • Why might the identity of the painter not have been recorded?
  • How might this portrait compare with other surviving images of the same emperor?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Yongle Emperor on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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