Baoji Liutu Axis

【 Baoji Bay Map Axis 】

The Baoji Bay Map axis, painted by Ai Qimeng during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, is a silk version with colors, measuring 228.5 centimeters vertically and 275 centimeters horizontally
Ai Qimeng was a Western missionary who came to China in the tenth year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1745) and was summoned to the palace to paint for Emperor Qianlong. A total of nine pieces of Ai Qimeng’s works are included in the collection book “Shiqu Baoji” compiled by the Qing court. Compared with Italian Giuseppe Castiglione and French Wang Zhicheng, among European missionaries who came to China, Ai Qimeng’s painting level was very ordinary, but after the death of Giuseppe Castiglione and Wang Zhicheng, Ai Qimeng became a European painter whom Emperor Qianlong relied on
In the painting, there is a large horse about the size of a real horse, named “Baojiliu”. In the lower right corner of the screen, there is a line with the signature: “The painting by Ai Qimeng, a minister of the Western Hemisphere, during the mid autumn period of the Qianlong and Guisi dynasties.”. “Qianlong Guisi” is the 38th year of Qianlong’s reign (1773). At that time, Giuseppe Castiglione, the former chief European painter in the court, died in the 21st year of Qianlong’s reign (1766), and another European painter Wang Zhicheng died in the 23rd year of Qianlong’s reign (1768, For example, this “Baoji Bay Painting” banner
“Baojiliu” is the name of the horse in the painting. In June of the 36th year of Qianlong’s reign (1771), the Turhute tribe of Mongols, who was nomadic in the lower reaches of the Volga River in Russia, could not bear the bullying and oppression of the local Russians. Under the leadership of the tribal leaders, Wobashi and Zeberk Dorji (Wobashi’s son-in-law), the entire tribe broke through all kinds of difficulties and obstacles, lasted nearly a year, and returned to the eastern land where their ancestors once roamed. For this reason, Emperor Qianlong was very happy and specially received the leaders of the tribe to appease and reward them. This horse, named “Baojiliu”, was a tribute presented to Emperor Qianlong by Zebedor at this time. “The painting of Baoji Bay” was painted under the order of Emperor Qianlong
In terms of painting skills alone, Ai Qimeng’s painting is not outstanding, and its painting level is far lower than that of Giuseppe Castiglione, the same court painter. But after all, as a court painter, Ai Qimeng has played the documentary function of his brush, leaving us with a certain segment of history that once occurred. Its value cannot be judged solely by the high level of painting skills.