Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Biographies and Portraits

Portrait of Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin

Emperor Gaozu (reigned 936–942 CE), born Shi Jingtang, was the founder of the Later Jin dynasty. Like the rulers of the preceding Later Tang, he was of Shatuo Turkic descent. He is a deeply controversial figure in Chinese historiography because he ceded the strategically vital Sixteen Prefectures to the Khitan-led Liao dynasty in exchange for military support, and famously referred to himself as the "son-emperor" in diplomatic correspondence with the Khitan ruler, who was younger than him.

original: "後晉高祖像" (Hou Jin Gaozu Xiang); "石敬瑭" (Shi Jingtang)

Visual Representation
The woodblock print follows the established iconographic style of the Sancai Tuhui, focusing on the status and formal identity of the sovereign.

• The Headgear: The Emperor is shown wearing a formal putou; a black cloth cap with stiffened wings or "feet" that became the standard headwear for the scholar-official class and royalty from the Tang through the Ming dynasties.
• The Imperial Robe: He is dressed in a round-collared ceremonial robe. The clean, heavy lines of the woodcut emphasize the bulk and presence of the figure, denoting his imperial station.
• Physical Features: In keeping with the conventions of the time, he is depicted with a full beard and mustache, symbols of patriarchal authority and wisdom.

Historical Context
This portrait documents the transition from the Later Tang to the Later Jin. While Shi Jingtang's decision to cede northern territories left a lasting scar on Chinese defense—leaving the heartland vulnerable to northern invasions for the next four hundred years—his inclusion in this volume demonstrates the Ming compilers' desire to present a complete, unbroken record of those who held the "Mandate of Heaven" during the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.