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2004.19.68.1.7 - The Qianlong Emperor’s Conquests: Pacification of Cities in the West; Depictions of Victories over the Eleuths, Dzungars and Other Central Asian Peoples in Xinjiang

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Object Typeprint Artistafter Qianlong Emperor Date Made1767-1774

Item Details

Object Typeprint Artistafter Qianlong Emperor Date Made1767-1774
Accession Number 2004.19.68.1.7 Title The Qianlong Emperor’s Conquests: Pacification of Cities in the West; Depictions of Victories over the Eleuths, Dzungars and Other Central Asian Peoples in Xinjiang Category prints Object Type print Artist after Qianlong Emperor Date Made 1767-1774 Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 18th century Materials ink on paper; woodblock Measurements overall: 63.2 cm x 112.6 cm; image: 53.9 cm x 92.6 cm Description The Qianlong Emperor’s preface to the portfolio, The Qianlong Emperor's Conquests. It is the introductory page in the set of 16 copperplate engravings. Inscriptions and Colophons
The army stationed in the West successfully achieved its task in 1759. It is only a little more than seven years from the end of the battles, in 1766, that the drawings of the conquests were finished. The painters…
The army stationed in the West successfully achieved its task in 1759. It is only a little more than seven years from the end of the battles, in 1766, that the drawings of the conquests were finished. The painters needed this space of time in order to meticulously inquire into [what] the forms of the camps and battles [looked like] so as to compose their designs. Of the officers and soldiers who left for the campaigns and risked their lives at extreme odds, one out of a hundred survived. Giving their lives to the state ensured that their campaigns were successful, so how could I suggest that they die without recognition? That is why in the Throne Hall of the Purple Effulgent Pole Star (Ziguangge 紫光閣) we have had the portraits painted of those who distinguished themselves. And because of this motivation, we went to the bloody battlefields, we faithfully depicted the circumstances where attacks were made on our strongholds--where we broke the ardour of the enemy, beheaded the generals, and stole the flags--in order to pay homage to their efforts and to celebrate their courage. When I reviewed the military reports I dedicated some poems to them, and I rewrote them to be placed between the folios. For the six scenes that I have not yet touched with my brush [meaning he had yet inscribed them with poetry], I have dedicated special supplementary poems. When I hear the sound of the drums, then I think [I am reminded] of the generals and soldiers, who are our state. These paintings inspired the same feeling in me. Before the completion of these paintings, I constantly imagined myself touring the battleground even during my busy dealings of government affairs at court. Now with these paintings that show everything vividly before my eyes, I feel as if I am commanding the soldiers on the battlefield… Sorrowfully inscribed by the Qianlong emperor in the spring of February-March, 1766 transcribed by Wei Bingqing, translated by Lisa Claypool
Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart

Citation

Page Citation for 2004.19.68.1.7 - The Qianlong Emperor’s Conquests: Pacification of Cities in the West; Depictions of Victories over the Eleuths, Dzungars and Other Central Asian Peoples in Xinjiang

Page Citation

"2004.19.68.1.7 - The Qianlong Emperor’s Conquests: Pacification of Cities in the West; Depictions of Victories over the Eleuths, Dzungars and Other Central Asian Peoples in Xinjiang, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19876. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.


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2004.19.68.1.7 - The Qianlong Emperor’s Conquests: Pacification of Cities in the West; Depictions of Victories over the Eleuths, Dzungars and Other Central Asian Peoples in Xinjiang

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Object Hierarchy for 2004.19.68.1.7 - The Qianlong Emperor’s Conquests: Pacification of Cities in the West; Depictions of Victories over the Eleuths, Dzungars and Other Central Asian Peoples in Xinjiang