Ayusi Sweeping Bandits with a Lance
Giuseppe Castiglione · 1755
Why it's great
A brave warrior, Ayusi, charges with a lance in a battle scene. Giuseppe Castiglione painted this to honor a hero of Emperor Qianlong's military campaigns in the 1750s. The dashing horse and rider are very lively. It's a great action picture from imperial China.
Where to see it
📍 National Palace MuseumTaipei, Taiwan
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Giuseppe Castiglione was born in Milan, Italy, and became a Jesuit brother, traveling as a missionary to China. He took the name Lang Shining and served as a court painter for three Chinese emperors. He blended European realism with Chinese styles. He died in Beijing in 1766.
