Gezicht op een deel van het keizerlijk zomerpaleis in Chengde (Jehol) te China 1712 - 1714

This is Matteo Ripa's rendering of 'A View of Part of the Imperial Summer Palace in Chengde (Jehol), China'. Ripa, an Italian missionary and artist, created this delicate engraving during his time in the court of the Kangxi Emperor in the early 18th century. Serving as a painter and copper engraver, his position highlights the global exchange of knowledge and artistic practices during the early Qing dynasty. Consider the complex dynamics of cultural representation here. As a European in China, Ripa's perspective offers a unique lens through which to view the imperial palace. The engraving captures the architectural details and serene landscape of the palace, but it also reflects Ripa's interpretation of Chinese aesthetics and values. It invites us to reflect on how cultural exchange shapes artistic expression, and how the artist's identity influences the representation of place and culture.