Natural History, panel 1 of 18
Oil on canvas, 26" x 26"
Prologue (Zheng He of Yunan)
Ma He was born to a Muslim family in Yunan in 1371. In 1381, the Ming army invaded and conquered Yunnan. Ma He was captured, castrated and became a servant of the royal household, where he gained the confidence and trust of the prince. In 1402, the prince ascended the throne as Yongle Emperor. In 1404, the Emperor conferred the surname "Zheng" to Ma He. Ma He thus came to be known as Zheng He.
Prologue (Zheng He of Yunan)
Ma He was born to a Muslim family in Yunan in 1371. In 1381, the Ming army invaded and conquered Yunnan. Ma He was captured, castrated and became a servant of the royal household, where he gained the confidence and trust of the prince. In 1402, the prince ascended the throne as Yongle Emperor. In 1404, the Emperor conferred the surname "Zheng" to Ma He. Ma He thus came to be known as Zheng He.