Juanqinzhai in the Qianlong Garden
The Qianlong Emperor, fifth of China’s Qing Dynasty, reigned from 1735 to 1796 and was the longest-serving ruler in China. He designed a garden complex
Juanqinzhai in the Qianlong Garden
The Qianlong Emperor, fifth of China’s Qing Dynasty, reigned from 1735 to 1796 and was the longest-serving ruler in China. He designed a garden complex in the Forbidden City for his eventual retirement. It was built between 1771 and 1776 and reflects the emperor’s broad cultural tastes and knowledge. The interiors of many of the 27 buildings in the Qianlong Garden are of extravagant design, using the finest materials and exceptional Chinese craftsmanship, and incorporating European artistic techniques such as trompe l’oeil. They number among the finest extant examples of eighteenth-century imperial interiors in China and are prized because their original design and materials have survived relatively unaltered from the time they were constructed over 230 years ago.
How We Helped
WMF began a partnership with the Palace Museum in 2002 to restore the Qianlong Gardens and to assist in training Chinese conservators to tackle the many complex challenges presented when working with the fragile historic interiors and their unusual mix of materials and artistic techniques. In 2008, WMF and the Palace Museum completed the conservation of the first pavilion, Juanqinzhai, or the Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service. Juanqinzhai is noted for the unique silk trompe l'oeil paintings on the cei