Much mystery clouds over Yongzheng, the controversial emperor who ruled over China from 1722 to 1735. Nearly three centuries after he died at the age of 58, his life and reign has remained shrouded by various versions in truth.

Yongzheng imitating a Buddhist monk looking down a stream

Some see him as a despicable villain, who usurped the throne by falsifying the will of his father and took revenge on his brothers after ascending the throne. Others paint him as a ruthless despot because of his suppression of dissenters and his burning of books.

Yongzheng imitating a Taoist in search of elixirs

Recently, an exhibition called Xingle Tu of Yongzheng (pictures of Emperor Yongzheng going on the spree), displayed 77 personal portraits for the first time, which revealed an exceedingly amiable and interesting Yongzheng, in sharp contrast to the previous contentious image.

Yongzheng imitating a scholar playing a zither

An idealized representation of domestic life within the royal palace, Xingle Tu is a kind of Chinese portrait painting that made its debut as early as the Southern Qi Dynasty (479-502) and enjoyed growing popularity thereafter.