Eight Views of the Xihu Imperial Palace《西湖行宫八景图横披》

Zhang Zongcang (1686–1756)
Zhang Zongcang, courtesy name Mocun, was a native of Wu County (modern-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). He initially served as a county registrar overseeing river works and later gained recognition for his exceptional talent in painting. His landscape artistry was influenced by Huang Ding. During the Qianlong Emperor’s first southern tour, Zhang presented the Album of Sixteen Views of Wu Prefecture, which greatly impressed the emperor. As a result, he was summoned to the imperial court and became a professional court painter.

“Eight Views of the Xihu Imperial Palace”
Created during Zhang Zongcang’s later years as a court artist, this horizontal scroll depicts the eight scenic spots of the Xihu (West Lake) Imperial Palace on Solitary Hill in Hangzhou. The painting is inscribed in fine regular script with “Respectfully painted by the humble subject Zhang Zongcang,” accompanied by two red seals: “Subject” and “Zhang Zongcang.” Additionally, the top right features the Qianlong Emperor’s red “Treasure for the Emperor’s Viewing” seal. The eight scenic locations illustrated include: Four Reflection Pavilion, Bamboo Cooling Spot, Green Cloud Path, Overlooking Blue Tower, Moon Storage Spring, Fragrant Eagle Court, Strategic Pavilion, and Magnolia Hall.

This work is considered a documentary painting, characterized by its precise composition, vigorous style, and deliberate brushwork. Zhang’s technique of layering dry brushstrokes for the rock textures and blending light ink washes for the vegetation evokes a profound sense of depth and atmosphere. It stands out as one of Zhang’s finest court commissions. The upper left also features eight imperial poems penned by Zhuang Yougong, a top scholar and close minister during the Qianlong reign, adding to its historical and artistic value.

张宗苍（1686—1756），字默存，吴县（今江苏苏州）人。初以主簿理河工事。善画，山水出黄鼎之门。乾隆皇帝第一次南巡，张宗苍进献了《吴中十六景》画册，深得皇帝欣赏，被召入宫廷画院，成为宫廷职业画家。

这幅《西湖行宫八景图》，为其晚年供奉内廷时所作。款用细楷恭书“小臣张宗苍恭画”，钤朱文“臣”、“张宗苍”二印。画右上方铃有朱文“乾隆御览之宝”印。此画所绘内容为杭州西湖孤山行宫八景：四照亭、竹凉处、绿云径、瞰碧楼、贮月泉、鹫香庭、领要阁、玉兰馆。当为纪实性绘画。整幅画构图谨严，画风苍劲，用笔沉着。山石皴法多以干笔层层累积，林木之间使用淡墨，干笔和渲染的手法相结合，表现出了深远的意境，是其应制的佳作。画左上方有乾隆朝状元，重臣庄有恭敬书的御制诗八首，颇为珍贵。