Les Palais européens du Yuanmingyuan à travers la photographie : 1860-1940

摘要

Started in 1987, the search for old photographs of the European Palaces of the Yuanmingyuan has yielded close to a hundred and fifty samples, which have been for the most part attributed, identified and dated. At first meant as a support to the architectural and stylistic study of the site by the Mission Palais d'Été, the collection has also provided valuable information. The consequences of the 1860 torching on the buildings, and their progressive disappearance through neglect and pilfering are two examples. The process of destruction is specially well documented for the Haiyantang, an impressive combination of palace and reservoir, essential part of an architecture conceived around and in function of Western-style fountains and waterworks.