Matteo Ripa (1682–1746) and the Sino-European Cultural Contacts during the Kangxi Reign

Drawing upon Chinese and European sources, this paper intends to analyze the Italian missionary Matteo Ripa’s activities in China from three perspectives. First, it will employ new documents to explore the context of Ripa’s copper engravings of thirty-six views at Jehol. Second, it will elaborate on his dialogue with an imperial Muslim physician at the court, where he shared insights into Islamic culture. Third, it will examine Ripa’s departure for Europe and the farewell gifts he received, as documented in an archival record.