Illustrating the Great Wall of China

This image uses ink washes and pen to visualise the Great Wall and surrounding landscape. Follow the sweeping lines of this drawn piece. The smooth and graphic qualities to this image convey a visually compelling and straightforward impression of a highly complex landscape. These visual techniques humanise an otherwise vast landscape through the imperfections found in the artist’s hand (the character of their mark making). Throughout this scroll the presence of imperfect calligraphy, characters and illustration build an accessibly informal tone. Qing people stand either side of the wall, some sit on carpets in conversation, others stand holding Camels readying for a journey ahead. Pause, take time to explore each of these travellers - they all have their own story to tell.

A busy scene reflects the bustle of trans-Asian trade and travel all the way from eastern-China to west-Asia. The soaring peaks are drawn by the artist(s) by wet and flat sweeping brushstrokes. The monumental landscape represents the vastness of Qing China and the achievements of its people. Images such as these, similar to photographs from the period, allow the reader to visualise themselves as one of this brave Muslim community on the precipice of departure. In this scroll Elite members of society are not depicted, only working and mercantile peoples.

During this period The Great Wall was symbolic of China regardless of your social status. This fortification acted centrally as a symbol of past and present China. The structure was completed by the Qin Dynasty (220 BCE). Look at the 19th century photograph of the Great Wall. It is similar to the illustration found in our scroll and reminds us of emerging technologies in the 19th century, something most Qing muslims would not have seen. This photo demonstrates that while techniques and approaches used in this scroll to illustration and written components are not perfect, the intention of this landscape image is to convey a realistic impression of the Great Wall.

As such, the scroll’s illustration and this photograph both present the Wall as a remote frontier populated by travellers. This demonstrates the long journey ahead of each hajji (pilgrim). As well as the epic scale of this journey these images symbolise the home which pilgrims left behind for hajj, an emotional burden it is important to keep in mind. Reading through the scroll you are reminded of your relationship with Allah (God) as a hajji (pilgrim) by the system of labelling and titling of images and text with stamps.