On 18/2, the Forbidden City Museum's fanpage introduced the artwork "Hoang Lich quan ma ky" by Lang The Ninh (Giuseppe Castiglione, 1688-1766) and other court painters. Completed in 1754, the painting measures over 2.2 meters vertically and over 4.2 meters horizontally.

The painting "Hoang Lich quan ma ky". Photo: Dpm

Emperor Qianlong commissioned this work to commemorate a political milestone of the Qing dynasty. The depicted event is a winter ceremony held at the imperial family's resort estate.

The artwork features hundreds of figures, including the emperor, imperial princes, court ministers, and leaders with their retinues from Mongolia. Breaking conventional court painting rules, the composition places Qianlong on the right rather than in the center, yet it still emphasizes the emperor's dignity.

Qianlong is depicted at the highest position in a conical composition. Photo: Dpm

The painting shows the emperor, riding a white-and-gold spotted horse, observing the soldiers' equestrian skills. The soldiers perform various feats such as archery, flute playing, acrobatics, and handstands on horseback.

Lang The Ninh, the main artist for this piece, was born in Milan and arrived in China as a missionary in the 1710s. In 1715, Emperor Kangxi summoned Lang The Ninh. Although the 61-year-old emperor did not approve of Lang The Ninh's religion, he admired his knowledge of science and art, appointing him as a court painter. Lang The Ninh served the Qing court for over 50 years, never leaving China. According to Sina, he left behind a vast body of work, making him one of the most prominent court painters in history.

A section of "Hoang Lich quan ma ky". Photo: Dpm

Horses were a common subject in Lang The Ninh's works. He created many pieces depicting Qianlong riding horses for hunting and in battle. Additionally, the artist painted portraits of the emperor and his concubines, and scenes of daily life in the imperial harem and resorts.

Qianlong valued Lang The Ninh's talent, which is why most portraits of the emperor and his favored concubines were painted by Lang The Ninh. According to Thepaper, living in the palace, Lang The Ninh was cautious, like "playing with a tiger". Qianlong once asked the artist, "Who among my concubines do you find most beautiful?" Lang The Ninh replied, "All imperial concubines are beautiful." Qianlong then asked, "Yesterday, you met several of my concubines; who impressed you the most?" Lang The Ninh responded, "Your humble servant did not look at them; at that time, your humble servant was counting the roof tiles on the palace." Qianlong inquired, "How many tiles were there?" Lang The Ninh answered, "30 tiles." The emperor ordered an eunuch to recount them, and indeed there were 30 tiles.

Qianlong drawing a bow for hunting in a painting by Lang The Ninh. Photo: Dpm

Lang The Ninh's works are primarily preserved in museums worldwide, though a few have appeared on the auction market. In 2015, a portrait of Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui was auctioned in Hong Kong for nearly 140 million HKD. The inscription "Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui" on the painting was personally inscribed by Qianlong.

Nhu Anh (according to Dpm)