Imperial Scroll of the Scene of Sitting on an Ice Bed in the Snow
Compiled by Wei Zeng / Category: Qing Dynasty, Painting, Art / December 11, 2023

This Imperial Scroll of the Scene of Sitting on an Ice Bed in the Snow (Yuzhi Xue Zhong Zuo Bing Chuang Ji Jing Tu Juan) was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong and painted by the Qing Dynasty artist Qian Weicheng (1720–1772). The scroll vividly illustrates the scene described in Emperor Qianlong’s poem Snowy Scene While Sitting on an Ice Bed. It depicts a winter day with light snowfall, where the emperor, seated on a yellow-canopied ice bed, is gently pushed by attendants across the frozen Taiye Lake in the Xiyuan (Western Gardens) imperial complex. The composition masterfully uses miniature figures to contrast the vastness of the lake and the imperial architecture along its shores. The scroll is now housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

Historical Context of Ice Beds in the Qing Dynasty

• Origins: The use of ice beds on Taiye Lake dates back to the Kangxi era (1661–1722). Emperor Qianlong, however, had a particular fondness for this winter activity. Even before ascending the throne, he composed poems about ice beds, such as Ice Bed (1720s), which describes its structure:
  

  Slender iron strips serve as wheels, carved wooden frames layered with cushions.
  Gliding smoothly on frozen lakes, leaving no dust on the broad paths.

• Poetic Legacy: As emperor, Qianlong continued to celebrate ice beds in his poetry. Notable works include:
  • Commemorating Crossing Taiye Lake on an Ice Bed on La Day (1734):
    

    The post-wax scenery renews each day; the curved lake freezes pure.
    Unaware of the frost’s chill, I sit warm on the ice bed, crossing to Jade Ford.

  • Ice Bed Linked Verse (1769), co-authored with court officials, which details the luxurious design of his ice bed:
    

    A sandalwood couch adorned with floral patterns,
    A canopy of mulberry silk dyed emerald,
    Soft marten-fur cushions on a round dais,
    Sheltered by a dome of translucent fabric.

    This suggests the ice bed was crafted from precious sandalwood and lavishly decorated

Artistic and Cultural Significance

• Qian Weicheng’s Contribution: A renowned scholar-painter, Qian Weicheng was a zhuangyuan (top imperial examination graduate) in 1745. His painting style blended the traditions of the Yuan Four Masters and Four Wangs, refined under the guidance of Dong Bangda. The scroll exemplifies his skill in balancing intricate details (e.g., snowflakes, architectural precision) with expansive landscapes.
• Poetic Inscriptions: The scroll includes Qian Weicheng’s calligraphic transcription of Qianlong’s poem:
  

  Snow returns, truly swirling in the air;
  The ice bed awaits at Taiye’s rocky shore.
  Crossing the waves to the far bank,
  Heavenly flowers scatter like mandala petals in flight…

Geography of Xiyuan (Western Gardens)

The Xiyuan complex, adjacent to the Forbidden City, spanned an area six times larger than the palace itself. Centered around the interconnected South Sea, Central Sea, and North Sea lakes, it featured landmarks like:

• Yingtai (Marble Terrace) in the South Sea.
• Qionghua Islet with its White Pagoda in Beihai (North Sea).
  Today, Beihai is a public park, while Zhongnanhai remains the central government’s administrative headquarters.

Translation of Key Terms

• 御制雪中坐冰床即景图卷: Imperial Scroll of the Scene of Sitting on an Ice Bed in the Snow
• 钱维城: Qian Weicheng (styled You’an, literary name Jiaxuan)
• 西苑太液池: Xiyuan Taiye Lake (Western Gardens’ Taiye Lake)
• 黄幄冰床: Yellow-canopied ice bed
• 词臣: Literary courtier (a scholar-official specializing in cultural duties)

This scroll not only captures a moment of imperial leisure but also embodies the interplay of poetry, art, and power in Qing court culture.

Download the full scroll via the original source.

References integrated from multiple sources for accuracy and depth.