A Letter from a Jesuit Painter in Qianlong's Court at Chengde

Authors

Deborah A. Sommer (司馬黛蘭), Gettysburg CollegeFollow

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2004

Department 1

Religious Studies

Abstract

New Qing Imperial History uses the Manchu summer capital of Chengde and associated architecture, art and ritual activity as the focus for an exploration of the importance of Inner Asia and Tibet to the Qing Empire (1636-1911). Well-known contributors argue that the Qing was not simply another Chinese dynasty, but was deeply engaged in Inner Asia not only militarily, but culturally, politically and ideologically.

Emphasizing the diverse range of peoples in the Qing empire, it analyzes the importance to Chinese history of Manchu relations with Tibetan prelates, Mongolian chieftains, and the Turkic elites of Xinjiang. In offering a new appreciation of a culturally and politically complex period, the authors discuss the nature and representation of emperorship, especially under Qianlong (r. 1736-1795), and examine the role of ritual in relations with Inner Asia, including the vaunted (but overrated) tribute system. [from the publisher]

Comments

Original version is available from the publisher at: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415511186/

Recommended Citation

Sommer, Deborah. "A Letter from a Jesuit Painter in Qianlong's Court at Chengde." In New Qing Imperial History: The Making of Inner Asian Empire at Qing Chengde. Edited by James A. Millward, Ruth W. Dunnell, Mark C. Elliott, and Philippe Foret. (London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004), pp. 171-184.