A pedagogical example of Jesuit legacy: Giuseppe Castiglione missionary and architect for the Qianlong Emperor

Abstract

This article presents the work of Jesuit artists and architects at the imperial court in China during the reign of the Qinglong emperor. It focuses particularly on Br Giuseppe Castiglione SJ, known in Chinese as Lang Shi-ning. While Castiglione is famed for his paintings, this article looks at his work in designing Western-style buildings in the Yuanming Yuan. The author defends Castiglione’s work as an intrinsic part of the Jesuit mission to preach the Gospel in China. He also shows how the early Society of Jesus welcomed trained artists and architects as members of the Society.