Eight Paintings of Foreign Dignitaries

Ink and colours on silk, framed
Qing dynasty, early to mid 18th century, after Yu Zhiding (1647 - 1716)

A group of eight paintings, each of a different gathering of foreign dignitaries or embassies, all shown in animated postures, dressed in their national costumes which are lavishly delineated. Such paintings of tributaries and deputations to the Chinese court are recorded from at least the Yuan period, and were very popular during the Qing, when these ink and colour on silk paintings were created.