L’Impero Cinese

L’Imperatore Wen della Dinastia Sui, cui si deve l’avvio del progetto di scavo del Grande Canale (dipinto di Yan Liben, pittore di epoca Tang, 600–673)

L’Imperatore Yang della Dinastia Sui, figliodell’Imperatore Wen di Sui, cui si deve ilcompletamento del progetto (dipinto di YanLiben, pittore di epoca Tang, 600–673)

Mappa del Fiume Giallo, il cui bacino copre gran pa rte della Cina settentrionale, sfocia nel Golfo di Bohai (golfo int erno del Mar Giallo)

Bacino del Fiume azzurro (Yangtze)

Bacino del Fiume delle Perle

Gran Canale in epoca Sui e Tang

Gran Canale in epoca Ming e Qing

Da Ming Hun Yi Tu world map (1389)

“China developed sophisticated mapping techniques at about the same time as ancient Rome, and never lost them, so by the ‘medieval’ period the country had been mapped with considerable detail and accuracy. When European mapping techniques caught up again at about AD 1300, Islamic contacts were able to supply new maps of the Mediterranean area to China, via the communication routes in the Mongol Empire and these prompted Chinese scholars to create world maps, with China at the centre and Europe, half-way round the globe, depicted very small and horizontally compressed at the edge. Significantly, Africa was also mapped from an Indian Ocean perspective, showing the Cape of Good Hope area, which Europeans would not visit until much later.”

Hua I T'u [Map of China and the Barbarian Countries], ca.1137 A.D.

L’Impero Cinese sotto la Dinastia Han

Interludio Mongolo Dinastia Yuan 1271 -- 1368 (99 anni di regno)

Chengzong, l’ultimo imperatore della dinastia mongola degli Yuan

Cina Ming

Impero Ming

L’Impero cinese sotto la dinastia Ming 1368 - 1644

Dalla Cina Ming all’Impero Qing1644 - 1760

L’Impero Cinese sotto la Dinastia Qing (1644 -1911): 267 anni di regno

Cina durante la Dinastia Mancese

Attacchi dei pirati giapponesi

Pechino, La Città proibita,

Sede ufficiale delle dinastie Ming e Qing dal 1420 al 1924, quando la Repubblica di Cina scacciò Puyi dallaCorte Interna.

Confucio

Il fondatore della Dinastia Ming, Hongwu

The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), known variably by his

given name Zhu Yuanzhang and by his temple name Taizu of Ming (literally "Great

Ancestor of Ming"), was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China.

His era name, Hongwu, means "vastly martial".

In the middle of the 14th century, with famine, plagues and peasant revolts sweeping

across China, Zhu became a leader of an army that conquered China, ending the

Yuan Dynasty and forcing the Mongols to retreat to the Mongolian steppes. With his

seizure of the Yuan capital (present-day Beijing), he claimed the Mandate of Heaven

and established the Ming Dynasty in 1368.

Monumento moderno all’eunuco ZhengHe (1371-1433) presso lo StadthuysMuseum, Malacca Town, Malaysia.

Tomba di Zheng He a Nanjing

La grande muraglia

The Great Wall of China is the most famous wall in the world ever. This wall located in China, stretches over approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles) from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia, but stretches to over 6,700 km (4,160 miles) in total. It is 7.8 meters (25.6 ft) high and 5 meters (16.4 ft) wide.

This wonderful building built continuosly during 6th century BC to the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from Xiongnu attacks during the rule of successive dynasties. All of Chinese Empire Leader in that time used this wall to defend their territory, including the Qin, Han, Sui, Northern, Jin, Shun, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Ming Dynasty reportedly used more than one million people to guard and defend their empire through this wall.

At the early time, the wall built from Taipa (raw materials of mud, lime, chalk, and gravel), stones, and woods. During the era of Ming Dynasty until the last, many area of the walls rebuilt using bricks. It’s easier to build the wall with brick than taipa or stones. Stones used only for foundation, brims, and gateway of the wall.

Some part of this 6,700 km has been destroyed because of vandalism, erosion, and even the way construction.

The Jianwen Emperor (5 December 1377–13 July 1402), with the personal name Zhu Yunwen, reigned as the second Emperor of the Ming dynasty. His reign name Jianwen means"Establishment of Civil Virtue".

His father, Zhu Biao, Crown Prince Yiwen, wasthe son and designated heir of the HongwuEmperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty. When ZhuBiao died in 1392 before ascending to the throne, the Hongwu Emperor made Zhu Biao's son, ZhuYunwen, his successor, rather than Zhu Biao's younger brothers Zhu Shuang (the Prince of Qin), Zhu Gang (the Prince of Jin) or Zhu Di (the Prince of Yan).

Jianwen's reign was short (1398–1402). After heassumed the throne, Jianwen Emperor began tosuppress feudal lords, including his uncle Zhu Di. Feeling threatened, Zhu Di raised an army and in 1399, began to march toward Nanjing from hisnorthern base in Beijing under the banner of the Jingnan campaign. In 1402, Zhu Di's army finallyreached Nanjing and, after a brief fight, Zhu Di usurped Jianwen Emperor's throne and wascrowned as Yongle Emperor.

Yongle, terzo imperatore della dinastia Ming dal 1402 al 1424. Il suo nome "Yongle" significa "Felicità Perpetua". Egli è generalmente considerato il più grande imperatore della dinastia Ming, e uno dei più grandi imperatori di tutta la storia della Cina.

The Yongle Emperor (Traditional Chinese: 永樂; Simplified Chinese: 永乐; pinyin: Yǒnglè; Wade-Giles: Yung-lo; IPA: [jʊ �ŋlɤ ̂]) (2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), born Zhu Di (Chu Ti), was the thirdemperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means"Perpetual Happiness".

He was the Prince of Yan (燕王), possessing a heavy military base in Beiping. He became knownas Chengzu of Ming Dynasty (明成祖 also writtenCheng Zu, or Ch'eng Tsu (Cheng Tsu) in Wade-Giles) after becoming emperor (self title). Hebecame emperor by conspiring to usurp the thronewhich was against Hongwu Emperor's wishes.

He moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing whereit was located in the following generations, and constructed the Forbidden City there. After itsdilapidation and disuse during the Yuan Dynastyand Hongwu's reign, the Yongle Emperor had the Grand Canal of China repaired and reopened in order to supply the new capital of Beijing in the northwith a steady flow of goods and southern foodstuffs. He commissioned most of the exploratory seavoyages of Zheng He. During his reign the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia was completed. Although his father Zhu Yuanzhang was reluctant todo so when he was emperor, Yongle upheld the civilservice examinations for drafting educatedgovernment officials instead of using simplerecommendation and appointment.

L’Imperatore Yongle osserva gli eunuchi di corte impegnati nel cuju , un antico gioco Cinese simile al calcio.

Una giraffa portata dall’Africa a Yongle(1414).

Per i cinesi la giraffa è associata al miticoqilin, noto anche come Kylin, Kilin o Kirin, è una creatura della mitologia cinese e giapponese simile ad una chimera. La leggenda narra che appaia in contemporanea alla nascita di un uomo saggio. È spesso rappresentato come un mostro il cui corpo è completamente circondato da fiamme.

L’Imperatrice Xu

La rete di relazioni diplomatiche e commerciali del l’Impero cinese in epoca Ming

Figlio di Yongle, Hongxi succede al padre nel 1424.

Il suo nome " Hongxi " significa “Luce immensa".

The Hongxi Emperor ( 洪熙洪熙洪熙洪熙 [xʊʊʊʊ̌ŋɕɕɕɕí]; 16 August 1378–29 May 1425) was the fourth emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China. He succeeded his father, the Yongle Emperor, in 1424. His era name means "Vastly bright".

L'Imperatore Xuande , ( 1425-1435) dichiarava nel 1428 che la popolazione del regno era in diminuzione a causa della costruzione del Palazzo Imperiale e delle avventure militari.In realtà si assiste sotto il suo regno ad aumento demografico significativo, un fatto notato da Zhou Chen - Governatore del Sud Zhili - nel suo rapporto del 1432 al trono sulla diffusione del commercio itinerante

The Xuande Emperor (Beijing, 16 March 1399 – 31 January 1435) was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".

Born Zhu Zhanji, he was the eldest son of the Hongxi Emperor and Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao. Xuande was also fond of poetry and literature. Unlike his father, the XuandeEmperor (r. 1426-35) decided to keep Beijing as the capital and rule the dynasty in the style of his grandfather, Yongle. He ordered Zheng He to lead another maritime expedition to continue the Yongle Emperor's golden age.

1427: dipinto dell’imperatoreXuande.Gibboni che giocano.

L’imperatore Ming Xuande (1425-1435) gioca con i suoi e unuchi a chuiwan , un gioco simile al golf. Il suo nome vuol dire "Proclamazione della vi rtù".

Zhu Qizhen ( 29 November 1427 – 23 February 1464) was an emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperorfrom 1435 to 1449, and as the TianshunEmperor from 1457 to 1464.[3] His first era name means "Right governance" and the second one means "Obedient to Heaven".

Candidati che hanno sostenuto gli esami per il servizio civile, si affollano intorno al muro dove sono esposti i risultati (dettaglio da un rotolo dipinto in inchiostro e colore su seta, di Qiu Ying (1494-1552)

The Chenghua Emperor (December 9, 1447 – September 9, 1487) was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".

The Hongzhi Emperor (30 July 1470 – 8 June 1505) was emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. Born Zhu Youcheng (often mispronounced as "Zhu Youtang" since 樘 has two pronunciations, and according to records it is pronounced as "cheng", meaning "foundation"), he was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi Silver Age. His era name means "Great government". He was a wise and peace-loving ruler. Hongzhialso had only one empress and no concubines, and holds the distinction of being the sole perpetually-monogamous emperor in Chinese history.

The Zhengde Emperor (26 October 1491 – 20 April1521) was emperor of China (Ming dynasty) between1505-1521. Born Zhu Houzhao, he was the HongzhiEmperor's eldest son. His era name means "Right virtue" or "Rectification of virtue".

The Jiajing (or Chia-ching) Emperor (16 September 1507–23 January 1567) was the 11th Ming Dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former ZhengdeEmperor's cousin. His father, Zhu Youyuan(1476–1519), the Prince of Xing, was the fourth son of the Cheng-hua emperor (1465–1487) and the eldest son of three sons born to the emperor's concubine, Lady Shao.

His era name means "Admirable tranquility".

The Longqing Emperor (4 March 1537- 5 July 1572) was the 12th emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1567-1572. His era name means "Great celebration". His name at birth was Zhu Zaihou and hewas born during the reign of his fatherEmperor Jiajing, at the Forbidden City at the Ming Dynasty capital Beijing. He wascreated Prince Yu in 1539.

L'Imperatore Wanli della

dinastia Ming regnò dal 1572al 1620. Il suo regno di 48 anni fa di lui il più longevo imperatore della dinastia Ming. Wanli fu testimone dell'arrivo a Pechino del primo missionario gesuitaMatteo Ricci.

The Wanli Emperor (4 September 1563 – 18 August 1620) was emperor of China (Ming dynasty) between 1572 and 1620. His era name means "Ten thousandcalendars". Born Zhu Yijun, he was the Longqing Emperor's third son. His rule offorty-eight years was the longest in the Ming dynasty and it witnessed the steady decline of the dynasty.

Replica moderna del copricapo d’orodell’Imperatore Wanli conservata nel TempioLing En di Chang Ling presso le tombe dellaDinastia Ming.

L’originale venne rinvenuto durante gli scavicondotti negli anni ’60 da Ding Ling ed è oggiconservato presso il Ding Ling Museum.

L’Imperatrice Xiaojing

L’Imperatore Wanli riceve i suoi generali dopo la vi ttoriosa campagna di Corea

“Vie delle anime“: tombe degli Imperatori della Dinastia Ming (1368 to 1644) a Changping a nord-est di Beijing

Ming Lou o Torre delle anime: la più imponente costru zione del Mausoleo Xiaoling della Dinastia Ming a Na njing

Tomba ming

L’Imperatore Taichang

28/08/1582 – 26/09/1620), 14°imperatore dellaDinastia Ming.Nato Zhu Changluo, era figlio primogenitodell’Imperatore Wanli Emperor. Il suo nomevoleva dire “grande prosperità”, “grandegenerosità”

However his reign came to an abrupt end less than one month after his coronation when he was found dead one morning in the palace following a bout of diarrhea. He was succeeded by his son Zhu Youxiao, who became the TianqiEmperor.

L’Imperatore Tianqi(23/12/ 1605 – 30/09/1627), 15°imperatoredella Dinastia Ming regnò dal 1620 al 1627.Nato Zhu Youxiao, era il primogenitodell’Imperatore Taichang. Il suo nome era sinonimo di “Celeste apertura".

L’Imperatore Chongzhen

(6/02/1611 – 25/04/ 1644), 16°e ultimo imperatore della Dinastia Ming, regnò dal 1627 al 1644. Il suo nome significava "onorevole e di buon auspicio".

Mappa della Cina nel 1765 durante la Dinastia Qing

L’imperatore Shunzhi

Eyebeer Zasagch Khaan (15/03/ 1638 – 5/02/1661) primo imperatore Qing a governare effettivamente la Cina dal 1644 al 1661. Un comitato di principi mancesi lo aveva scelto per succedere al padre Hung Taiji nel settembre 1643 quando aveva solo cinque anni. Gli vennero affiancati due co-reggenti : il quattordicesimo figlio di Dorgon, Nurhaci, e il nipote di Nurhaci, Jirgalang. Il potere politico rimase nelle mani di Dorgon fino alla sua morte durante una battuta di caccia l'ultimo giorno del 1650.Dopo che il giovane imperatore ebbe iniziato a governare personalmente nel 1651, cercò, con alterne fortune, di combattere la corruzione e di ridurre l'influenza politica della nobiltà mancese. E‘sotto il suo regno che i Qing conquistarono la maggior parte del territorio della ormai decaduta dinastia Ming ed ebbero ragione dei pretendenti ancora non domati, ponendo le basi del governo Qing sulla Cina. Morì di vaiolo, una malattia letale che era endemica in Cina, ma contro la quale i Mancesi non avevano difese immunitarie. Gli successe il terzo figlio Xuanye, già sopravvissuto al vaiolo, che regnò per 60 anni come Imperatore Kangxi.

Ritratto dell’Imperatore Shunzhi in etàadulta.

Prince Regent Dorgon in imperial regalia. He reigned as a quasi emperor from 1643 to his death in 1650, a period during which the Qing conquered almost all of China.

The circular mound of the Altar of Heaven, where th e Shunzhi emperor conducted sacrifices on 30 October 1644, ten days before being officially proc laimed Emperor of China. The ceremony marked the moment when the Qing dynasty seized the Mandate of Heaven.

Ritratto su seta del giovane Imperatore Kangxi in ab iti informali con in mano un pennello (1662—1722), di u n anonimo artista di corte (The Palace Museum, Beijin g).

L’Imperatore Kangxi , 4°della Dinastia Qing

4 May 1654 –20 December 1722), the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass (Beijing) and the secondQing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.

Kangxi's reign of 61 years makes him the longest-reignin gChinese emperor in history (although his grandson, the Qianlong Emperor, had the longest period of de facto power) and one of the longest-reigning rulers in the wo rld. However, having ascended the throne at the age of seven, he was not the effective ruler until later, with that roletemporarily fulfilled for six years by four regents and hisgrandmother, the Grand Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.

Kangxi is considered one of China's greatest emperors. Hesuppressed the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, forced the Kingdom of Tungning on Taiwan to submit to Qing rule, blocked Tzarist Russia on the Amur River and expandedthe empire in the northwest. He also accomplished suchliterary feats as the compilation of the Kangxi Dictiona ry.

L’Imperatore Kangxi a cavallo seguito dalla sua guar dia del corpo

L’Imperatore Kangxi con l’armatura cerimoniale, con arco e frecce, accompagnato dalla sua guardia d’ono re

L’Imperatore Kangxi all’età di 45 anni (dipinto del 1699)

The Kangxi-Emperor returns to the Forbidden City after his southern tour in 1689

The imperial court is awaiting the emperors arrival to the palace. Kangxi does not appear in this parts of the roll.

The Kangxi Emperor on a tour, seated prominently on the deck of a junk

L’Imperatore Kangxi in età ormai avanzata, intento a leggere un libro

Ritratto su seta di Yongzheng, terzoImperatore Qing in abito di Corte, di un anonimo artista di corte (1723—35) (Palace Museum, Beijing).

The Yongzheng Emperor offering sacrifices at the altar of the god of agriculture, Shennong

From Album of the YongzhengEmperor in Costumes, by anonymous court artists, Yongzheng period (1723—35). One of 14 album leaves, colouron silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

Yongzheng fu imperatore della Cina dal1723 al 1735.Lo vediamo qui ritratto in vesti europee. [Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, China].18th-century Chinese painting of the Yongzheng Emperor wearing a European wig and

dress, preparing to strike a tiger with a tridentFrom Album of the Yongzheng Emperor in Costumes, by anonymous court artists, Yongzheng period (1723—35). One of 14 album leaves, colour on silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

From Album of the YongzhengEmperor in Costumes , byanonymous court artists, Yongzheng period (1723—35). One of 14 album leaves, colouron silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing

The Yongzheng Emperor (1723-1735)

From Album of the YongzhengEmperor in Costumes, by anonymous court artists, Yongzheng period (1723—35). One of 14 album leaves, colouron silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

The private life of Yongzheng is represented in this gallery by paintings of twelve concubines, arranged according to the four seasons. The many roles in which he envisaged himself are shown in a set of thirteen album leaves in which he appears spearing a tiger, wearing a European wig, as a Daoist Monk and a Buddhist devotee. The Yongzheng period is famous for fine porcelains and lacquer ware. A range of different examples are presented, particularly a very fine group of glazed plates, all in different colours.

From Album of the YongzhengEmperor in Costumes , byanonymous court artists, Yongzheng period (1723—35). One of 14 album leaves, colour on silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

The Qianlong Emperor, born Hongli, 25 September1711 – 7 February 1799) was the sixth emperor ofthe Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qingemperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son ofthe Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796. On 8 February, he abdicated in favor of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor– a filial act in order not to reign longer than hisgrandfather, the illustrious Kangxi Emperor. Despitehis retirement, however, he retained ultimate poweruntil his death in 1799. Although his early years sawthe continuation of an era of prosperity in China, hisfinal years saw troubles at home and abroadconverge on the Qing Empire.

Portrait of the Qianlong Emperor in Court Dress, by anonymous court artists. Hanging scroll, colour on s ilk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

The Qianlong Emperor Viewing Paintings, 1746—c.1750, b yGiuseppe Castiglione (Chinese name Lang Shining, 1688—1766) and Ding Guanpeng (fl.c. 1738—1768). Hanging scro ll, ink and colour on paper. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

Emperor Qianlong in his study, painting by Giuseppe Castiglione, 18th century

The French Jesuit Joseph-Marie Amiot(1718–1793) was the official translator of Western languages for Emperor Qianlong.

Mogli di Qianlong

Portrait of the Xiaosheng Empress Dowager, Qianlong period, 1751, by anonymous court artists. Hanging scroll, colour on silk. 230.5×141.3 cm. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

This portrait presents the Xiaosheng Empress Dowager (1691—1771), the mother of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736—95), on her sixtieth birthday, a major celebration in China that signalled a person?sentrance into a new phase of life (the traditional calendar was based on a repeating sixty-year cycle). The Qianlong Emperor honoured his mother with a full-scale imperial celebration which included sutra recitations at the Yanshou si (Extended Long-life Temple), an elaborate building that had been specially constructed at the Summer Palace for the occasion. Priests chanted wishes for her longevity and lavish gifts were presented, including a set of nine Buddhist images from the Emperor. Such elaborate festivities were consistent with the Emperor’s personal devotion to his mother and his belief that the Imperial Mother, the de facto leader of all the palace women, was of greater importance to the State than the Imperial Wife and should therefore receive special commemoration.

This grand likeness follows the rigid codes — such as full frontalityand elaborate dress — that were employed in all formal imperialportraits, including images made for ancestor worship. The XiaoshengEmpress Dowager is attired in full winter regalia, including a fur-trimmed crown decorated with five pearl-studded golden phoenixes, an ornament restricted to women of exalted rank. Her three earringssignify Manchu ethnicity.

Mogli e figli di Qianlong nella città proibita (Giuse ppe Castiglione)

The Qianlong Emperor in Ceremonial Armour on Horseback, 1739 or 1758, by Giuseppe Castiglione(Chinese name Lang Shining, 1688—1766). Hanging scroll, ink and colour on silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

Armatura dell’Imperatore Qianlong (Musée de l'Armée, Paris).

Chinese soldier of Emperor Qianlong, byWilliam Alexander, 1793.

The Qianlong Emperor’s Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Twelve: Return to the Palace (detail), 1764—1770, by Xu Yang (fl.c.1750—after 1776) and assistants. Handscroll, colour on silk. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

The Qianlong Emperor in Buddhist Dress, Puning si, c. 1758, by an anonymous artist. Thangka, colourson cloth. The Palace Museum, Beijing.

The Jiaqing Emperor (Sayishiyaltu Yirugertu Khaan, 13 November 1760 – 2 September 1820) was the seventhemperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the fifthQing emperor to rule over China, from 1796 to 1820.

He was the son of the Qianlong Emperor. During his reign, he prosecuted Heshen (和珅) (the corrupt favourite ofQianlong) and attempted to restore the state and curb the smuggling of opium inside China.

Ritratto dell’Imperatore Jiaqing nel suo studio

The Daoguang Emperor (Doro Eldengge Hūwangdi; 16 September 1782 – 25 February 1850) was the eighth emperor of the Manchurian Qing dynasty and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1820 to 1850.

L’Imperatore Daoguang nei suoi giardini preferiti

L’Imperatore Daoguang – seduto in alto a destra – assiste all’arrivo dei prigionieri catturati in occasione delle campagna militare contro i ribelli del Turkestan Orientale (1828) A destra è la Porta meridionale (ovvero Wu-men) che dà ingresso alla Città Proibita.

The Xianfeng Emperor (17 July 1831 – 22 August 1861), born Aisin-Gioro I Ju, was the ninth Emperor of the QingDynasty, and the seventh Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1850 to 1861.

Ritratto dell’Imperatore Xianfeng nei suoi giardini

The Tongzhi Emperor (27 April 1856 – 12 January 1875), bornAisin-Gioro Dzai Šun, was the tenth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the eighth Qing emperor to rule overChina, from 1861 to 1875. His reign, which effectively lastedthrough his adolescence, was largely overshadowed by the rule of his mother, the Empress Dowager Cixi. Although hehad little influence over court affairs, the events of his reigngave rise to what historians call the "Tongzhi Restoration", anunsuccessful attempt to stabilize and modernize China.

Il giovane Imperatore Tongzhi scrive nel suo studio

Un ritratto occidentale dell’Imperatrice Vedova Cixi, 1903

The Guangxu Emperor (14 August 1871 – 14 November 1908), born Zaitian of the Aisin-Gioro clan, was the eleventh emperorof the Manchurian Qing Dynasty, and the ninth Qing emperor to rule over China. Hisreign lasted from 1875 to 1908, but in practice he ruled, under Empress DowagerCixi's influence, only from 1889 to 1898. Heinitiated the Hundred Days' Reform, butwas abruptly stopped when Cixi launched a coup in 1898, after which he was put under house arrest until his death. His regnalname means "The Glorious Succession".

Ritratto dell’Imperatore Guangxu nel suo studio

Fotografia dell’Imperatore Guangxu (al centro)

The three year old emperor Puyi (right), standing next to his father the 2nd Prince Chun and his little brother Pujie

Puyi (7 February 1906 – 17 October1967), of the Aisin Gioro clan, was the last Emperor of China. He ruled in twoperiods between 1908 and 1917, firstly as the Xuantong Emperor from1908 to 1912, and nominally as a non-ruling puppet emperor for twelve daysin 1917. He was the twelfth and finalmember of the Manchu Qing Dynastyto rule over China.

He was married to the EmpressGobulo Wan Rong under the suggestion of the Imperial DowagerConcubine Duan-Kang. Later, between 1934 and 1945, he was the Kangde Emperor of Manchukuo. In the People's Republic of China, hewas a member of the ChinesePeople's Political Consultative Conference from 1964 until his deathin 1967. His abdication was a symbolof the end of a long era in China, and he is widely known as The Last Emperor.

L’Imperatore Puyi e l’Imperatrice WanRong a Tianjin

Puyi nel 1922 negli abiti di Imperatore della Cina

Puyi prigioniero dei Sovietici

Puyi, Imperatore di Manchukuo con Ch ū Kudō