Qianlong Period Art

The Qianlong period is not only characterized by great expansion and military victory, but also for its cultural achievements. The Qianlong emperor, Aixin-Jueluo Hongli, preserved the Manchu language and culture, commissioned the writing of traditional Chinese texts, restored Confucian culture in China, and encouraged the proliferation of Tibetan Buddhism. He is currently considered China’s last great emperor.

During the time of his reign, Hongli was extremely passionate about traditional arts and poetry. He himself wrote many poems and dabbled in calligraphy painting. He also studied and collected ancient art and artifacts as well as developed an imperial collection, which consisted of works from Chinese artists and others foreign artists.

Due to the Qianlong emperor’s interest in both traditional and foreign methods of art making, Qianlong art is characterized by diversity, reverence to traditional styles and types, and experimentation.

Quick Facts

• Seal marks on Qianlong porcelains are usually a reddish color, though a few in blue are existent. These seals are applied in zhuanshu seal script, which is largely illegible to most people at this time
• In November 2011, a Qianlong porcelain vase sold for $86 million. The market for Qianlong porcelains is still extremely competitive
• Much of what we know about the Qianglong emperor is through thorough notes taken by a Jesuit appointed official. Details, such as when the emperor would wake, when he would eat, and what he would do throughout the day, were extensively documented