Despite their best intentions European missionaries to China became known more for their skills in art and science than for the Christian messages they were sent out to preach. Along with clocks and western style music, European oil painting techniques were introduced to China by the European missionaries.

Some of them were such skilled oil painters that their skills were admired and accepted by the Chinese elite. Using a combination of western style oil painting and traditional Chinese techniques to suit the local aesthetic, foreign painters began to work in the Imperial Court.. Italian artist Giuseppe Castiglione was the most famous western painter during this period.

Click here to view more paintings by Giuseppe Castiglione

 European Artistic Techniques Brought To China

Chinese artists learned about western oil painting techniques through missionaries, and in the sixteenth century they sent paintings made by western artists in China to Europe where they were made into drypoint prints. Drypoint is a kind of intaglio printing technique, using designs etched onto metal or stone with a needle. The burr created by the needle gives a rich, velvety effect to the prints. Masters of this technique include Dürer, Rembrandt and Picasso.

The paintings sent to Europe depicted border insurgency wars between 1755 and 1767 under Emperor Qianlong. The 16 pictures were shipped to France and reproduced by seven well-known etchers. It took seven years for the artists to complete the etchings. In 1773, 200 drypoint paintings along with the original drawings and drypoint versions were sent back to China. Emperor Qianlong was pleased with these artworks.

 Qing Dynasty Concubines Seen Through Western Artists' Eyes

01. Huixian, Imperial Noble Concubine of Emperor Qianlong	02. Wan Pin, concubine of Emperor Qianlong
03. Emperess Xiaoxian of Qianlong	04. Emperess Xiaohe of Jiaqing, Qianlong's son

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