Macao Daily News
Located in the Forbidden City, the Palace of Double Brilliance (Chonghua Gong) was the residence of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty during his time as a prince. Here he grew up and achieved his successes, experiencing the enjoyment of life, character cultivation, and state governance. In his work Imperial Record of the Palace of Double Brilliance (Chonghua Gong Ji), he noted, ‘I lived here in my youth, and I studied and grew up here. The governance of over 40 years all came from this place.’ The Palace of Double Brilliance holds profound significance for the emperor.
Deeply inspired by the Han culture, the emperor was a devoted and diligent student. Starting to study at the age of six, he learned literary composition at 14, and took up painting at 19. Throughout his life, he was a strong advocate for Manchu studies and a passionate promoter of traditional Chinese culture. Every season, he would create calligraphy works of the character fu, meaning fortune and prosperity. During the Lunar New Year, he would copy the Heart Sutra, a Buddhist scripture, and create auspicious paintings for the occasion. His accomplishments in Han culture went beyond the realm of literati events, such as tea and poetry meetings, or the creation of New Year’s painted screens. Indeed, his influence on future generations, through his dedication to traditional arts and cultural practices, is profound and lasting.
Under Emperor Qianlong’s reign, there was a prevailing trend to organise ancient texts and compile new works, and the emperor made tremendous contributions in ancient texts conservation and cultural dissemination. Efforts were made to edit, collate, restore and publish a vast array of books, including historical accounts of the Qing dynasty and translations of classical Chinese literary canons. The scale of these publications was immense, surpassing that of all previous dynasties. The most highly regarded achievement was the compilation of Siku Quanshu (Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature) and the publication of rare books from the Hall of Military Prowess (Wuying Dian), further enriching the literature landscape of the time.
During the reigns of his grandfather, Emperor Kangxi, and his father, Emperor Yongzheng, the Qing dynasty experienced a prolonged period of peace. Emperor Qianlong, following the footsteps of his illustrious ancestors with exceptional talent, promoted cultural prosperity domestically while asserting military strength abroad. Under his rule, the economy flourished and culture thrived, marking a golden age in Qing history. Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum offers a glimpse into Emperor Qianlong’s life dedicated to literature and military might.
This year commemorates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. In this double celebration, the Palace Museum joins forces with the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Museum of Art to present the exhibition. It will serve as a testament to China’s rich court culture and promises to captivate audiences both at home and abroad.
Lok Po
Director of Macao Daily News