Mi Tian

After establishing the Qing Dynasty, the Manchus—a semi-nomadic people from northeast Asia—established numerous imperial monuments across the empire, encroaching on spaces traditionally dominated by Han Chinese subjects. This book explores how, in the nineteenth century, Han Chinese literati artists sought to discreetly reclaim these spaces by conserving and reviving their artistic heritage. Serving in provincial mufu—lit. secretariat—, they pursued two strategies: "reappropriating" the Qing imperialist structures by constructing alternative monuments with Han symbolism; and challenging the state-sanctioned orthodox landscape tradition through local brushwork traditions to depict "real scenes." Their endeavor demonstrated a solid commitment to cultural continuity under foreign domination.