Collection Details
Accession Number: Gu 00006506
Medium: Silk, color painting. Height: 384 cm, Width: 160.3 cm.
Seals: “Ba Zheng Mao Nian Zhi Bao” (Treasure of the Eightieth Year of the Emperor’s Reign), “Wu Fu Wu Dai Tang Gu Xi Tian Zi Bao” (Treasure of the Hall of Five Blessings and Five Generations), and “Tai Shang Huang Di Zhi Bao” (Treasure of the Emperor Emeritus).
Artistic Description
This artwork captures a heartwarming scene of Emperor Qianlong (Hongli) celebrating the Lunar New Year with his sons. The sky is overcast, with freshly fallen snow accentuating the verdant pines and bamboo. Red plum blossoms, blooming defiantly against the cold, adorn the twisted branches.
Seated under a corridor, Emperor Qianlong tenderly holds a young prince in his lap, playing with a toy while exuding serenity. Firecrackers crackle nearby, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Princes frolic in the foreground, while palace maids stand respectfully behind him with fans, collectively portraying a harmonious and joyous family moment.
Detail: Emperor Qianlong with young prince
Symbolism and Technique
The painting incorporates traditional Chinese symbolism through homophonic puns. For example:
- A sheaf of grain symbolizes “abundant harvest” (wugu fengdeng).
- A fish-shaped lantern signifies “peace and prosperity” (tai ping you yu).
- A jade chime hung on a halberd represents “auspiciousness and surplus” (ji qing you yu).
Notably, the faces of Emperor Qianlong and the princes are rendered with Western chiaroscuro techniques, likely influenced by the Italian missionary painter Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining). The remaining elements were completed by Qing court painters.
Artist Attribution
Author: Wang Qi
Keywords
Treasure of the Emperor Emeritus, Hall of Five Blessings and Five Generations, Eightieth Year Reign Treasure, Emperor Qianlong, Giuseppe Castiglione.
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