Description:
QIANLONG, EMPEROR OF CHINA (1711-1799), THREE ETCHED COPPER PRINTS
This suite of battle prints dates to the late 18th century and they depict the successful military campaigns of the Qianlong Emperor (reigned 1736–1795) against Lin Shuang-Wen in 1786. (3)
Provenance: By repute from the collection of an Austrian Medical Doctor who worked in Northern China from ca. 1930-1950 and frequently got paid in antiques and works of art, thus amassing a substantial collection. Thence by descent. An Austrian owner, acquired from the above.
Condition: Old wear, minor creases, tears, losses and soiling. Overall very good condition.
Dimensions: ca. 86.5 x 50 cm each (size of the image) and 91.5 x 54.5 cm (the sheet)
Of all the many uprising events occurred in Taiwan during Qing Dynasty rule, the Lin Shuang-Wen Event (1786) was the largest. These intricate and stunning prints document this event and stand out as unusual examples of Chinese images executed with European graphic techniques, e.g. large-format copper engravings, and represent a part of a complete set of twelve prints commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor to commemorate his victory. Printed in China, this is from a series of seven so-called “Conquest” suites. The scenes show dramatic landscapes of undulating mountains that seem to engulf the troops marching and fighting amidst their peaks and valleys. At the top of each print is a poem based on the Qianlong Emperor’s own personal commentary concerning the battles.
The Chinese prints were inspired by European battle prints, which had been brought to China by the Jesuits or sent as imperial gifts from European courts. In 1765, the Qianlong Emperor ordered prints commemorating his victories against the Zhungar troops. Drawings made by Jesuit court artists, including Giuseppe Castiglione, were sent to Paris to be engraved and printed in the royal workshop of Charles-Nicolas Cochin fils. Based on the Qianlong Emperor’s satisfaction with this first series, called the Suite des seize estampes représentant les conquêtes de l’empereur de la Chine (Sixteen prints representing the conquests of the emperor of China), additional suites were commissioned from Chinese artists to celebrate other notable military campaigns during his reign.
乾隆 (1711-1799)時期《平定台灣得勝圖》銅版畫
這套銅版畫可追溯到十八世紀末,描繪了乾隆1786至1788年平定林爽文起義事件。
來源:據説來自一位約于1930-1950年間在中國工作過的奧地利醫生收藏,他經常獲贈古玩和工藝品,從而積纍了大量藏品。保存至今;一位奧地利藏家從上述收藏中購得。
品相:舊時磨損,輕微摺痕、水漬、缺損和污漬;總體品相良好。
尺寸:圖約86.5 x 50 厘米;整幅 91.5 x 54.5厘米