The Qianlong Emperor Viewing Paintings, 1746—c.1750, by Giuseppe Castiglione (Chinese name Lang Shining, 1688—1766) and Ding Guanpeng (fl.c. 1738—1768). Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper. The Palace Museum, Beijing.
The Qianlong Emperor (1736-95)
Emperor Qianlong perhaps surpassed all other emperors in his zeal for collecting and in the many copies he commissioned. Fine archaistic items were made in the forms of, or with the décor of, ancient bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy. This room concentrates on some aspects of this interest in collecting and in replication. Qianlong was an avid calligrapher and some examples of his work are displayed. To ensure that the role of his collections would be recognised and respected Qianlong had his collections enshrined forever in elaborate catalogues. These are also on display.
