The Qianlong Emperor’s Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Twelve: Return to the Palace (detail), 1764—1770, by Xu Yang (fl.c.1750—after 1776) and assistants. Handscroll, colour on silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.
The Qing Dynasty
The exhibition starts with the formal, ritual portraits of the the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Emperors. Even though all three emperors were Manchus they are shown in these portraits wearing formal, ceremonial robes in Chinese style. The Qing Dynasty was founded by Manchus living in the North East of the Eurasian content. In the 16th and 17th centuries the Qing organised the first state north of the Great Wall and then invaded south China. Much of the early part of the Kangxi Emperor’s rule was spent in consolidating and extending his territory. The Qianlong Emperor also undertook major military expansion, north-east and north-west. Both emperors led extensive expeditions themselves. The Yongzheng Emperor by contrast centred his time on Beijing and is best known for his transformation of government practice.
The dramatic effect of these embroidered yellow robes is also seen in a surviving court robe belonging to the Kangxi Emperor. In all three portraits the Emperors are seated on dragon thrones. Such portraits were not intended as personal, intimate representations; they were undertaken, primarily, to make present the emperor when ritual offerings were made to them after death. In addition, similar formal portraits were painted on occasions of particular court significance.
