Real or illusion

Among the portraits of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), there is one titled Is It One or Two, which shows the ruler dressed in a scholar's suit, seated in a study room decorated with objects of culture and arts. On a painted screen behind him hangs an identical portrait, showing only the head and shoulders.

This unique composition of a portrait inside a portrait has aroused discussions among modern scholars and historians, about the intentions of the emperor. Some believe the second portrait inside was viewed by the emperor as a representation of himself to reinforce the message regarding his dignity and authoritative power.

The distinctive aesthetics and philosophical perspective of this painting, as well as its underlying messages, have inspired Yang Zi to curate Two Sides of One Coin: Reflections and Transformations, now displayed at the Taikang Art Museum. The exhibition, until July 31, gathers the works of 15 artists at home and from abroad, which also examine people's varied understandings of their own images and social recognition.

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