TWO COPPER-PLATE ENGRAVINGS OF THE CONQUESTS OF THE EMPEROR QIANLONG DATED 1765 AND 1774

the first depicting the surrender of the Arcul, from a drawing by Jean-Denis Attiret, engraved by Jacques Aliamet under the direction of C.N. Cochin, the lower edge inscribed Js. Dios. Attiret Soc. Jesu, del. 1765, C.N. Cochin filius Dirrex. and J. Aliamet Sculp.; the second depicting the victory of Khorgos, from a drawing by Jean-Denis Attiret, engraved by Jacques-Philippe Le Bas, the lower right corner inscribed Grave par J. P. Le Bas Graveur du Cabinet du Roi en 1774 (2)

The engraving dated 1765 has a repair to the lower left corner, There are stains along the edges, and a stain on the lower right corner, and a loss to the tip of that corner. There is a tear to the left edge and a tear to the top edge, both repaired with tape to the back, and a tear to the right edge. There are small scattered losses along the edges. The engraving dated 1774 has a tear to the top edge repaired with tape on the back. The right edge is worn with small tears and losses. There is a stain to the left edge. Both engravings with minor creasing, light staining and foxing.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Having been shown prints done after the battle paintings by the German artist Rugendas (1666-1742), the Qianlong emperor was inspired to celebrate his own victories by having them commemorated in prints. He commissioned the original set of sixteen engravings of his conquests on 13th July 1765 for the central hall of the Palace of Beijing. The drawings were prepared in China by Jesuit missionaries and sent to France, where the engravings were executed in Paris by eight artists under the direction of Charles-Nicolas Cochin of the Académie Royale at the Court of Louis XVI. The individual engravers included Le Bas, Aliamet, Prevost, Saint-Aubin, Masquelier, Choffard and De Launay. 

The series is a remarkable fusion of European and Chinese aesthetics and European technique. 

A set of twelve engravings commissioned by Qianlong to commemorate later victories was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 35; and two tinted engravings were sold in these rooms 17th and 18th March 2015, lot 224.