The artistic power and glory of qianlong

As he held sway over the land, he devoted his life to one of his key roles: Guardian of the country's art ZHAO XU

For art lovers the story is familiar enough: Master painter is found dead, paintbrush in hand. After all, to work until one's last breath is a natural choice for someone who has given one's life in the service of his muse.

But the special thing about this artist, who painted on the first day of the Chinese lunar new year in 1799, two days before he died, is that he was an emperor, indeed the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history.