Picture scroll of banquet given by Yao Wenhan Ziguang Pavilion

[Yao Wenhan’s Ziguangge Banquet Picture Volume]

The Ziguangge Banquet Picture Volume, Qing Dynasty, Yao Wenhan’s painting, silk, color, 45.7 cm vertical, 486.5 cm horizontal
This picture is signed with “Courtesy of Yao Wenhan.” The seal “Wen” and “Han” are jointly printed. The court has collected and printed various prescriptions
In the 25th year of Qianlong’s reign (1761), the repair of the Ziguangge was completed. Qianlong issued an order to hang the portraits of 100 meritorious ministers from the Zhun and Hui Ministries on the four walls. In the first month of the next year, Emperor Qianlong also held a celebration banquet here, attended by more than 100 princes and nobles, ministers of civil and military affairs, Mongolian leaders, and soldiers of the Western Expedition. This painting depicts the grand scene of banquet celebration at that time. The architecture in the picture is represented in the traditional scroll form of Chinese painting with the help of Western painting techniques. The Ziguang Pavilion, located in Zhongnanhai, was built in the Ming Dynasty, and became the place for the emperor to read and shoot and test the martial arts in the palace in the Qing Dynasty. It was rebuilt during the Qianlong period, and still retains the appearance of the golden age. The buildings in the picture contrast with the real scene of the Ziguang Pavilion, which is very interesting.

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