Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining 郞世寧)

Giuseppe Castiglione, also known by his Chinese name Lang Shining (郎世寧), was an Italian Jesuit missionary and painter born on July 19, 1688, in Milan, Italy, and died on July 17, 1766, in Beijing, China. Castiglione was a prominent figure in the Qing Dynasty court, where he served as a painter for three emperors: Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. He is renowned for his unique fusion of European and Chinese artistic techniques, contributing significantly to the development of the Qing court's distinctive style. His work is characterized by the integration of Western perspective and chiaroscuro with traditional Chinese brushwork and themes. Castiglione's influence extended beyond painting, as he also contributed to architectural and decorative projects within the imperial court. His legacy is marked by masterpieces such as "One Hundred Horses" and his role in fostering cultural exchange between Europe and China during the 18th century.