The scroll of Giuseppe Castiglione and other Qianlong emperors’ annual happiness

[Giuseppe Castiglione and other Qianlong emperors’ annual happiness picture axis]

The axis of Emperor Qianlong’s annual happiness picture, painted by Giuseppe Castiglione and Ding Guanpeng in the Qing Dynasty, in silk, with color, 305 cm vertically and 206 cm horizontally
Courtesy: “Chen Giuseppe Castiglione, Shen Yuan, Zhou Kun, Ding Guanpeng are writing respectfully.” Under the seal, “Chen Shen Yuan” is printed in Zhu and “Gong Hua” is printed in white. The picture bears the seal of Emperor Qianlong’s “Treasure of Eight Symbols and Eight Concepts”, “Ancient Treasure of the Heavenly Son of the Five Dynasties Hall”, and “Treasure of the Supreme Emperor”
This is a painting jointly created by Chinese and Western painters. Giuseppe Castiglione, who is good at realistic portraits, painted the portrait of Emperor Qianlong, and Chinese painters Shen Yuan, Zhou Kun, Ding Guanpeng and others painted children, houses and trees. This successful work of organic blending of Chinese and Western painting art under imperial power not only renders the warm atmosphere of royal festivity and peace, but also shows the harmonious kinship between Emperor Qianlong and the princes
After inheriting the throne, Emperor Qianlong inherited the traditional system of the previous dynasties in many aspects. Every time he met the traditional festivals inherited by the Han nationality in previous dynasties, such as New Year’s Day, Shangyuan, Qingming, Qixi, Mid Autumn Festival, Chongyang, etc., he required to hold relevant celebrations in the imperial palace. Among the numerous festivals, he attaches particular importance to the first day of the New Year, the New Year’s Day. On this day, he reunites with his family, lights bamboo and sets off firecrackers in the palace, praying for peace and auspiciousness. At the same time, he also needs to carefully write a volume of the Heart Sutra to celebrate. The picture depicts the bustling scene of Emperor Qianlong and his royal family’s children lighting firecrackers in the courtyard to celebrate the New Year. His kind gaze and gentle demeanor reveal his side as an ordinary parent, apart from being an emperor, filling the picture with infinite love and warmth