Gezicht op een deel van het keizerlijk zomerpaleis in Chengde (Jehol) te China 1712 - 1714

This is Matteo Ripa’s rendering of ‘A View of Part of the Imperial Summer Palace in Chengde (Jehol) in China’, a drawing housed at the Rijksmuseum. Immediately, the rhythmic composition of the hills captures our attention. Ripa uses delicate, repetitive lines to suggest form and texture. The slopes create a visually appealing pattern that is both natural and highly stylized. The lines mimic the physical contours of the landscape, creating a harmonious visual language. This precise use of line reflects a systematic approach to representing space. The drawing offers a window into the cross-cultural exchanges of the 18th century. As a European artist working in China, Ripa synthesizes Western representational techniques with Chinese aesthetic sensibilities. The structural rendering of the hills reflects a structured way of seeing, organizing, and interpreting the world. Ultimately, Ripa’s drawing does not simply represent a landscape but presents a complex interplay of form, structure, and cultural encounter. His disciplined approach to line and composition underscores a broader philosophical engagement with how we perceive and represent our environment.