Who painted 清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers?

清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers was painted by Qianlong Emperor in dated 1762 and 1767.

Where can I see 清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers?

清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers?

清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers is associated with Qing dynasty painting.

Artwork

清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers

Qianlong Emperor , 1762

清弘曆(乾隆皇帝) 鹿角雙幅卷|Two Paintings of Deer Antlers is an ink painting by the Qing dynasty painting artist Qianlong Emperor. It dates from 1762 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a pair of antlers, rendered in ink and color on paper as two distinct handscrolls created in 1762.

The work depicts a pair of antlers, rendered in ink and color on paper as two distinct handscrolls created in 1762. Executed by the Qianlong Emperor, the composition focuses exclusively on these antlers, classifying the genre as a form of still life within the imperial Chinese painting tradition. While the sources identify the subject matter as antlers, they do not provide specific details regarding the iconographic symbolism, ritual significance, or deeper metaphorical meaning the Emperor intended to convey through this representation of deer remains.

Technique & Style

The work consists of two handscrolls painted in ink with polychrome washes on paper, a technique typical of Qing court workshops. Executed in 1762 under the patronage of the Qianlong Emperor, the pieces were created using brush and ink on a flexible paper support that can be unrolled sequentially, characteristic of the handscroll format. The subject, deer antlers, is rendered with fine, controlled brushstrokes and subtle coloration.

No detailed condition report is provided in the available documentation, but the medium and support indicate careful handling as portable objects within the imperial collection.

History & Provenance

Created in 1762 in China, this work consists of two handscrolls depicting deer antlers rendered in ink and color on paper. The pieces were executed by the Qianlong Emperor (Hongli), who served as both the ruling monarch and the artist. The scrolls, identified by museum accession numbers 13.220.127a and 13.220.127b, are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, classified as paintings within the still-life genre.

Specific details regarding the original commission or intermediate ownership prior to museum acquisition are not provided in the available records, and no exhibition history is documented.

Overview

Created in 1762 by the Qianlong Emperor, Two Paintings of Deer Antlers comprises two handscrolls rendered with ink and color on paper. These still life compositions uniquely feature a pair of deer antlers, personally depicted by the emperor who reigned over China for six decades. Each scroll bears his signature and date, suggesting a deliberate act of documentation and personal expression.

Context

The practice of presenting deer antlers as gifts was common within the imperial court, often signifying allegiance and respect from tributary states or allied groups like the Mongols. Such items were frequently collected and preserved within palace inventories. The Qianlong Emperor's decision to paint these particular antlers places them within a larger tradition of imperial collecting and artistic patronage, while also showcasing his personal involvement in cultural production.