A rare 18th-century scroll has become one of the most expensive Chinese artworks ever to sell at auction.
The 61-foot-long artwork fetched 414 million yuan when it went under the hammer in Beijing on Sunday.
The handscroll is the work of Xu Yang, who was recruited as a court painter by the Qianlong Emperor in the 1750s. It depicts scenes in Beijing during the aftermath of military campaigns to consolidate the emperor's power in China's west -- conflicts that would later form part of his so-called"Ten Great Campaigns."Courtesy of Poly Auction
Although often titled"Settling Down the Western Regions and Presenting Prisoners," the work was simply given the English name"Figure" by Poly Auction, the Beijing-based auction house behind the sale.The detailed handscroll begins at Beijing's Zhengyang Gate and passes through Tiananmen Square, with the city's residents pictured alongside lines of guards and flag-bearers.
The artwork was commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor to mark his success quelling various uprisings, including his destruction of the Dzungar Khanate, a nomadic empire that once covered parts of Central Asia and the present-day Chinese region of Xinjiang.The handscroll had previously broken the auction record for classical Chinese art when it fetched 134 million yuan in 2009, according to
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sophie Turner's Red Hair Returns in Fiery New Selfie - E! OnlineSophie Turner is rocking red hair again. Scroll on to see a photo of the Game of Thrones star's recent hair transformation.
Read more »
Her 'Power': Lorde Hints at New Music With 'Solar Power' TeaseNew music from Lorde seems to be upon us. The singer/songwriter shared cover artwork with the title 'Solar Power' on her website Monday.
Read more »
Disney+ Will Explore Disneyland History with Behind the AttractionDisney+'s Behind the Attraction will explore the history of some of Disneyland's most beloved attractions.
Read more »
Great Outfits in Fashion History: Elizabeth Hurley in Her Famous Versace Safety Pin DressThis was a red carpet look for the history books.
Read more »
Drake Teams Up With Live Nation to Launch New Venue in TorontoDrake and Live Nation have announced the arrival of a new venue in Toronto, History, that's set to open this summer
Read more »
Arizona Plans to Restart Executions With Gas Used by the NazisOpEd: 'The abhorrent history of this drug being used to dehumanize, humiliate, and kill religious and ethnic minorities around the world is deplorable, and we should all be flabbergasted that Arizona is trying to bring it back.'
Read more »