By Imperial Command

The Complete Pictures of Tilling and Weaving

The Gengzhi Tu (Pictures of Tilling and Weaving) is a foundational genre of Chinese art. Originally created in the 12th century, these illustrations were frequently updated and reprinted by later emperors—particularly during the Qing Dynasty—as a way to honor the hard work of the peasantry and to demonstrate the ruler's commitment to the agricultural and textile foundations of the state.