| The horse painting "Yingjizi" was created by Lang Shining (Giuseppe Castiglione) in the 8th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty in 1743. The white horse depicted in this hanging scroll was a tribute presented to the Qianlong Emperor by Chengwen-zhabu, the Beile of Khalka-Hetuohuite, a sub-group of the Mongols. The painting is accompanied by a poem by the Qianlong Emperor in Chinese and Manchurian scripts. Applying Western techniques, Lang accurately renders the likeness of the horse in very fine lines and achieves the texture of its fur and the three-dimensional effect with short, quick brush strokes. This painting is an excellent example both of Lang Shining's keen observation of nature and of his exceptional technique. |
