In this painting, Yan Liben paints thirteen emperors over 712 years - from Emperor Liu Fulin (94-74 B.C.) to Emperor Yang Guang (569-618). Emperors are naturally portrayed as tall, standing figures, while those who wait on them are of smaller stature; this device was used to cor the emperors' nobility and grandeur with the others. There is no background. The lines of the edges of vestments are long and winding, alternating light touches of brightness and shade, to create a three-dimensional effect. The faces are painted with deliberation, with distinctive expressions; the eyes are tough and determined, wretched and dreadful, clever or foolish; a variety of expressions are used to convey the painter's judgment of emperors' rights and wrongs. The viewer has a glimpse of the attire and rituals of the time, and will also be astonished to see how shillful this accomplished painter was in creating characters as more than 1,300 years ago.