Forbidden City face-lift continues

Some 77 figure paintings depicting the life of Qing Emperor Yongzheng (reign 1723-1735) are on show at the Palace of Prolonging Happiness of the Palace Museum until March 12.

The fine brushwork, lively color schemes, realistic style and ornate composition present typical techniques employed by the court painters of that period.

Under the brush of the painters, the emperor is clad in Taoist robes, practices taichi on the edge of a cliff, is seen against a panoramic view of the imperial court, playing a zither in his study, with children and servants scattered, even farming, ploughing and sowing fields in Spring sunshine.