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The Kangxi Emperor Portrait: Forbidden City In Beijing, China

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The Kangxi Emperor Portrait, done with color on silk around the 18th century by anonymous court artists, was currently held in the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Kangxi was one of the most prominent emperors, whose reign lasted 61 years, the longest in Chinese history. Besides his successful campaigns, he also understood the importance of art and how he could use it to his benefit. Kangxi believed that by keeping his image secret from the people would add an extra layer of mystical vibe to his divine aura and would enhance the magnificence of his power and status, thus replications of Kangxi’s image was rare and owning any of the emperor’s image for the commoners was forbidden and punishable; only a few of the selected elites were allow to view the emperor’s portraits. This is was also to help protect the emperor from assassination attempts during and after his life. …show more content…

Another thing that stood out is how true to age the emperor is being portrayed here. Unlike some western portraits of kings and queens (in which they tried to look young, beautiful, and flawless), Kangxi was proud to display his wrinkles and old age, because it indicates experience and wisdom, which draws people’s reverence and

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