The cover for the catalog of the famous exhibition of treasures from the Palace Museum of Beijing in the Royal Academy of Arts, London, held from 12 Nov 2005 to 17 April 2006, features an exquisite and equally famous historical painting.
It is a portrait of Emperor Yongzheng and his fourth son, the young Hongli, the future Emperor Qianlong.
It is a masterpiece by [Chinese name] Lang Shining (1688–1766).
His real name is Giuseppe Castiglione, an Italian Jesuit missionary, artist, and painter to the Court of the Qing Dynasty.
He served the three famous Ching Emperors—Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong.
Qianlong has a great interest in Western art, and Castiglione was one of his favourite court artists.
Castiglione was asked by Qianlong to paint royal activities, life in the palace and teach Chinese court painters oil painting techniques.
In this painting, titled Spring’s Peaceful Message, Qianlong inscribed a poem and wrote that the artist was a master who had painted him in his youth.
Lwh
Chinese New Year
4th Day