Abstract
Hexi painting (和玺彩画) was historically documented as the most sophisticated decorative art representing the highest levels of technological knowledge and skills for decorating the Chinese Qing (1644–1911 AD) imperial architecture. However, the technological complexity of Hexi painting has barely been scientifically investigated. This article presents a technical case study that aimed to promote a better understanding of (inorganic) materials used in, and the painting/decorating procedure of, Hexi painting. Microscopic examination, compositional analysis, and phase/fiber identification were applied on fragments of golden-dragon Hexi painting (金龙和玺彩画), the most prestigious form of Hexi painting, which were sampled from Xitian Fanjing (西天梵境) in Beihai Park (Beijing, China). The results suggest that neither the kinds of used (inorganic) materials nor the painting/decorating process is exclusively restricted to Hexi painting and distinguishes it from other contemporaneous decorative forms. It is the combination of material use and the painting/decorating procedure that seems to make Hexi painting special. Further studies are needed to investigate the use of organic materials in Hexi painting to expand our current understanding.
Highlights
Hexi painting (和玺彩画) refers to a specific kind of polychromed paintings decorated on the exterior or interior surface of Chinese Qing (1644–1911 AD) imperial wooden architecture
We present a technical case study on Hexi painting fragments sampled from Xitian Fanjing (Western Paradise, 西天梵境), a Buddhist temple in Beijing, China
The major layer structure of goldendragon Hexi painting upon the wooden surface can be illustrated in Fig. 2c
Summary
Hexi painting (和玺彩画) refers to a specific kind of polychromed paintings (known as caihua 彩画 in Chinese) decorated on the exterior or interior surface of Chinese Qing (1644–1911 AD) imperial wooden architecture (such as palace and temples for residence and religious use by the royal families). Textual analysis points out that Hexi, a historically recorded term, refers to a highly organized and specialized painting and decorative technique that incorporates all the best-known technical skills (carving, coloring, embossing, etc.) into one single decorative form and results in highly precious painting and decoration [1] If this interpretation is sound through time and across regions, it instantly. Its technological features were developed to serve the religio-aesthetic needs of a particular group of people with power, authority, and wealth, and must be very carefully selected and developed Given these observations and thoughts, comprehensive technical investigations into representative Hexi painting samples are required to help us understand: how exactly, from a technological and analytical perspective, did the Qing craftsmen apply Hexi painting to imperial architectural decoration, using what materials and following which application procedure? Technical studies on Hexi painting have more practical impact as well: it has direct influence on decision-making and conservation strategies for preserving and restoring the Qing wooden buildings upon which Hexi painting is decorated
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