Artwork Page for The Battle at Elei Zhalatu: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems

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The Battle at Elei Zhalatu: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems

c. 1765–74; poem dated 1766

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign

(1736–95)
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Medium
etching, mounted in album form, 16 leaves plus two additional leaves of inscriptions
Measurements
Overall: 51 x 87 cm (20 1/16 x 34 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1998.103.3
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

This set of etchings was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong to record in pictorial terms the courage of his generals and soldiers in quelling the rebellions in China's western regions. Qianlong added his own poem to each of the etchings, indicating his appreciation and pride in this demonstration of military might. "Western Regions" refers to the present-day Xingjiang province, often described in Western writing as "Central Asia."
A horizontally oriented etching in fine black ink strokes on beige paper depicts a sprawling, historical encampment. In the lower left foreground, men grapple on the ground. Centrally, a group pulls at heavy tent covers while mounted soldiers and camels move across the right. Numerous tents fill the middle ground. Textured mountains rise in the background beneath columns of vertical calligraphy; the scene rendered with intricate, tonal detail and a sense of overall frantic movement.

The Battle at Elei Zhalatu: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems

c. 1765–74; poem dated 1766

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)

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