Portrait of the Qianlong Emperor in Court Robes, A Commanding Vision of Qing Dynasty Power

Celebrating art’s unique power to promote understanding and progress across cultures, Sotheby’s and Citi Private Bank are partnering to present 5 episodes of Most Famous Artworks.
In this episode of Most Famous Artworks in the World, discover the extraordinary portrait the Qianlong Emperor from 1791 that melds Western painting techniques with the traditional Chinese aesthetic of stillness. This late painting of the Emperor - still majestic in his 80s - was a late punctuation to a lifetime series of court portraits completed in the formal shengrong style, in which the Emperor is portrayed straight on in a serene pose. A masterpiece of Qing dynasty art, it is also emblematic of how China’s imperial past continues to enthrall modern Western audiences.

[@juliancoulden1753]

I so appreciate these superb scholarly vignettes on individual works of art. They always leave me with a desire to know more. Please keep making these fascinating films.

[@myplaidshirt]

Good video, but omg the pronunciation was like nails on a chalkboard.

[@stargazerlse]

OMG totally agree, the pronunciation is cringe......

[@ahriyanawebster.312]

“Shengrong”

[@yangqinzz1723]

This portrait was most likely done by Giuseppe Castiglione (郎世宁). He was an Italian missionary in China and mixed both western and eastern style of painting

[@rizalkurniawan4962]

G Castiglione, a Catholic brother, died in 1766 when the emperor was 50-60 years old, and according to this impression, this painting was made in 1791, and Qianlong already looks old, maybe around 80 years old

[@johnstauffer4362]

Stunning

[@peptobismol3949]

I literally had to do a presentation in history about China under the Ming and Qing and he was one of the emperors I had to talk about, show his painting, and explain why it showed power...why didn’t I find this sooner 😭

[@sneaksecondact]

Because you didnt even search it up?

[@TheRumaizah]

SHEEYANLONG

[@dilyamartinez]

Es muy interesante pero para disfrutarlo con comodidad es necesario los subtítulos en Español. Gracias

[@pmpm739]

something that wasn't stolen and sold by Sotherby's

[@stefiste3879]

I want it !

[@kimhicks4781]

Do you have any pictures of his Step Empress Ulà Hoifa Nàra who fell out of his favor

[@mr.cebuano2843]

ua-cam.com/video/pRJUk1NYync/v-deo.html her is a video about hoifa Nara empress pictures
/Painting and they story

[@annascott3542]

Does anyone know what piece of music is playing this?

[@adamm2693]

hello! it's called 'Li River', by James Banbury, it can be found on the Audio Network website (search for ANW2650 Eastern Horizons)

[@sweetsourcandies5607]

Yang guifei please

[@gangstarprophet2418]

Hi Blessed DAy

[@muffinman3953]

anyone else doing this for a Ap projects :(

[@mitsurikanroji9548]

Loved to see him turn from a handsome young man to a old man with wrinkly skin

[@andoreh]

Outside the atrocious pronunciation haha great video and analysis

[@Keiichi879]

Great information and attention to detail but it really sounds like the narrator went out of the way to mispronouce every single word with a pompous accent and I don't even need to try attitude. Lack of effort is also a show of lack of respect.

[@The_Food_Police]

Lol i was thinking the exact same thing

[@nefosworld]

At first it was remotely bearable but I got so pissed when he started reading the three seals on the top because he utterly butchered the pronunciation there.

[@johnralyea5896]

Can you turn off the subtitles? They are unnecessary and obstuct out view if the art.

[@bellaming9224]

好像僵尸啊

[@user-dl5ge7th2r]

😂

[@johnper2302]

I offer $100

[@peaceworld9393]

I have something very similar one

[@colinsushiboy745]

You must work for pawn star lol

[@nefosworld]

$100 would be nowhere near enough 😂😂😂😂😂the value of this painting is immeasurable

[@lvang5570]

Fine. $101.

[@royculdora703]

Im here because of story of yanxi palace

[@outisnemo555]

The pronunciation is just… unacceptable.