Wu Daozi

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A portrait of Confucius, by Wu Daozi.

Wu Daozi or Wu Tao-tzu (traditional Chinese: 吳道子; simplified Chinese: 吴道子; pinyin: Wú Dàozǐ; Wade-Giles: Wu Tao-tzu; 680-740) was a Chinese artist of the Tang Dynasty, famous for initiating new myths in his artwork.

The myth follows the creation by Wu Daozi of a mural commissioned by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang China. The mural on the wall of the palace was a rich nature scene set in a valley, containing a stunning array of flora and fauna.

Wu Daozi had gone further and painted a door on the side of a mountain. The story goes that he clapped his hands and entered the door, inviting the Emperor to come and see - sadly the door shut and he was lost forever.

(This tale inspired one of the Nouvelles orientales by Marguerite Yourcenar, Comment Wang-Fô fut sauvé.)