MIT Visualizing Cultures MIT Visualizing CulturesIn pursuit of Senggerinchen’s retreating forces, French troops enter the grounds of the Yuanmingyuan (summer palaces). The following day troops begin looting, at first against direct orders, but later supervised by their officers. Joined quickly by the British (and a small number of Chinese), three days are spent stripping much of the complex of silks, jewels, bullion, and objets d’art, all considered by the Allies to be “spoils of war.”




MIT Visualizing Cultures
Scroll right to view images
of the Yuanmingyuan.
MIT Visualizing Cultures MIT Visualizing Cultures MIT Visualizing CulturesLeft, translated from French:
“Occupation of the Yuanmingyuan palace by French troops. — From the sketches of Mr. B. J., expedition officer, and Mr. Marelle”

University of California

 [illustration_1860-12-02_413_ymy]


View the full page in the Image Gallery

 MIT Visualizing Cultures MIT Visualizing Cultures MIT Visualizing Cultures MIT Visualizing Cultures

Left: “A Portion of the Emperor of China's Summer Palace”

 Illustrated London News,
April 27, 1861 (p. 390)


This image is based on a photograph by Felice Beato, titled “The Great Imperial Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) Before the Burning, Pekin, October 18, 1860.”

Illustrated London News Group

 [ILN_1861-04-27_390_summer-palace_BL]

 View the full page in the Image Gallery		 MIT Visualizing Cultures On viewing images of a potentially
disturbing nature: click here


    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
© 2022 Visualizing Cultures

Creative Commons - some rights reserved		 MIT Visualizing Cultures