Building U.S. - China Bridges

China Center

Qianlong, Master of Nets: Lunar New Year in the Qing Palace

This webinar was a journey into the heart of the Qing Dynasty's imperial court featuring Dr. Daniel M. Greenberg. An assistant professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Dr. Greenberg brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the complex interplay between art and empire in early modern China.

The presentation focused on the remarkable artwork "All Foreign Countries Bearing Tribute" (萬國來朝圖), a representation of the Lunar New Year created for the Qianlong court. Dr. Greenberg guided us through the original context of this masterpiece, highlighting its unique blend of Chinese classical painting and European ethnography. This exploration reveals a distinctly Chinese perspective on state ritual and the management of foreign affairs, offering a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and political dynamics of the Qing Dynasty.