As the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing Dynasty also had a glorious period. In the nearly 300 years of Qing rule, a total of 12 emperors were successively appointed. Among them, the most famous and controversial is the Qianlong Emperor.
Qianlong was the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history. He reigned for 61 years, but continued to train even after his abdication. At the same time, during the reign of Qianlong, it was also the most powerful period of the Qing Dynasty.
Foreigner painters get "grace" alone
Under the administration of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, the national fortunes were prosperous, and both the economy and culture were fully developed. However, when Qianlong governed the Qing Dynasty, he still adopted a closed-door governance policy.
At the same time, in the late Qianlong period, corruption occurred in many places, and the lives of the people were not as good as a day, so uprisings also broke out. Therefore, when later generations evaluated Qianlong, they had mixed reviews and criticisms, and qianlong's life was also quite controversial!
Later generations remade many TV dramas about Qianlong during the Qing Dynasty, and also showed us the glory of Qianlong's life. While we appreciate Qianlong, we can't help but have a question. What does Qianlong really look like? Is he really as powerful and domineering as in the TV series?
In fact, there was once a foreigner painter who painted a sideways portrait of Qianlong. This is also thanks to Qianlong. Although the Qing Dynasty still implemented a policy of closing the country to the outside world, it did not completely cut off exchanges with foreign countries.
This foreigner painter was named Lang Shining, he was a missionary from Italy, his original name was Giuseppe Gastorione. Although he was a missionary, his painting skills were also very good.
Giuseppe Gastorione was appointed by the European Church, and he himself was very curious about China with mysterious oriental overtones, so he traveled a long way to China.
After coming to China, Giuseppe Gastoriones made it easier to communicate and live. He gave himself a stage name, which gave him this legendary name - Lang Shining.
In fact, after Lang Shining came to the Forbidden City, his missionary life was not smooth. Because the Qing Dynasty was during the reign of Kangxi at that time, it still practiced a policy of closing the country to the outside world. Therefore, the teachings he brought with him were too far apart from traditional Chinese thought and were not accepted.
By chance, the Kangxi Emperor saw his superb painting skills and was greatly shocked in his heart, which left Lang Shining behind. And Lang Shining finally stayed in China and became a foreigner painter.
During the reign of Kangxi, Lang Shining painted many wonderful works, which were also deeply loved by the Kangxi Emperor. At the same time, he also taught the characteristics of Europe like Chinese painters - oil painting.
After The death of Kangxi, Lang Shining waited for the Yongzheng Emperor. Because the Yongzheng Emperor was very fond of painting, Lang Shining was also reused. During this period, Lang Shining also painted one of the top ten famous paintings in China, "Hundred Juntu".
Yongzheng reigned for only 12 years before he died, so Lang Shining waited for his third emperor, Qianlong. Since Qianlong reigned the longest, Lang Shining spent the longest time with him.
During this period, Lang Shining's paintings were mainly portraits. He often painted for the emperor and the noble concubines and empresses of the harem. It was also during this time that Lang Shining learned to cater to the emperor's mind.
Since Lang Shining often painted portraits of the emperor, it was inevitable that some retouching would be added. These embellishments are more of a reflection of the emperor's dignity, domineering and majesty. Therefore, whether the emperor in the painting resembles the emperor in reality is unknown.
Since Lang Shining often painted portraits of the front and never painted the side of the Qianlong Emperor, Lang Shining himself felt pity and regret. By chance, Lang Shining secretly painted Qianlong's side portrait "Portrait of the Qianlong Emperor in Half-Body Winter Clothes".
After Lang Shining finished painting it, he secretly hid it. This painting is also considered by later generations to be the painting that best conforms to qianlong's true appearance. This painting is also currently in the collection of yinchuan museum of contemporary art for posterity.
Does it look like the one in the play?
Because Lang Shining secretly painted this painting when he created it, and used the Western oil painting method, he did not add much embellishment. Therefore, this painting is also considered to be the closest to the true appearance of Qianlong himself.
In this side portrait of Lang Shining, it can be seen that the real appearance of the Qianlong Emperor is still very different from that in the play. The Qianlong Emperor in the painting is in his 40s, dressed in civilian clothes, and looks more simple.
In this painting, it can also be seen that the Qianlong Emperor has a beard with a slightly sharp eye. But no matter how you look at it, there is a gap with the majestic image in the play.
As for why Lang Shining secretly painted this side portrait, there is actually a small story. When Qianlong had just ascended the throne, Lang Shining gleefully painted a side portrait of Qianlong and wanted the emperor to admire it.
Lang Shining first gave the painting to the eunuch in the palace and asked him to see it first. But after reading it, the eunuch said to Lang Shining: This painting cannot be shown to the emperor.
Lang Shining was very puzzled, thinking that he had painted the two previous emperors, and they were both appreciated, why this painting, Qianlong could not see. He did not believe in evil and insisted on showing it to the emperor, and the eunuch had no choice but to take it in.
When Qianlong first saw this painting, he was very happy and thought that Lang Shining's painting was very good. But looking at it, the Qianlong Emperor was furious and rewarded Lang Shining with thirty plates.
Why? It turned out that in this painting of Lang Shining, the Qianlong Emperor had only one ear. This made the Qianlong Emperor wonder in his heart whether he was suspected of partial listening.
Later, Qianlong may have also thought that he was somewhat excited and biased, so he ordered someone to send a copy of the Zizhi Tongjian to Lang Shining. After Reading this book, Lang Shining finally understood what was going on.
This story also shows us why when Lang Shining painted for Qianlong, most of them were portraits on the front. Therefore, this painting has only one ear, and it is also known as the painting that is closest to the true appearance of Qianlong.
summary
The Qianlong Emperor had meritorious deeds in his life, and as an emperor of a generation, it was understandable that he wanted to leave his majestic appearance to future generations to appreciate. Therefore, this side portrait is particularly precious.
The Qing Dynasty still belonged to a feudal society, and there was very little exchange with foreign countries. Therefore, leaving one's own appearance through painting is the best choice for each generation of emperors. From this painting, it can also be seen that Qianlong is actually very shrewd.
As an outstanding painter, Lang Shining's paintings can fully reflect his superb skills. And it is through this painting that we can understand the most real Qianlong.