Nanjing-desheng-tu introduced in Korea was not introduced in papers or research papers specializing in Chinese history, and it was introduced to the public through a translation that interestingly described world history through illustrations, pictures, and photographs. It is welcome and natural that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement is described on one of the pillars of world history, but in fact, the explanation of Nanjing-desheng-tu introduced in the translation is very brief, the title is all about “The Qing Emperor’s Army Surrounding Nanjing during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement: Woodblock Prints of 1864.” Therefore, as pointed out in this translation, since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom collapsed in 1864, according to this translation, it can be read that Nanjing-desheng-tu reproduces the image just before the collapse of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom with a unique illustration, so the biggest trap was right here.
Ironically, Nanjing-desheng-tu was not created in 1864 when the the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom collapse, but it was made in 1853 when the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom occupied Namjing City. Because Nanjing-desheng-tu is published on pages 8-9 of September 17, 1853 in L’illustration, journal universel. In addition, three to four months ago, Nanjing-desheng-tu was widespread around Shanghai, and it was easy to purchase if you gave a few coins. Therefore, Nanjing-desheng-tu was able to appreciate the true historical meaning of this illustration only by reading the unique appearance of the illustration reproduced by the artist’s hand in 1853, not at the time of 1864.
In short, Nanjing-desheng-tu is a woodblock print made in 1853, reflecting the situation in which the Taiping Army entered Namjing City for the first time through Yifeng-men, and the expectation of the Qing government to restore Nanjing city Fortress which was occupied by such a situation. The situation that has already happened and the expectations that will happen in the future have been properly reproduced in Nanjing-desheng-tu, and this situation was properly reproduced by the artist’s hand in the shape of the figures, the appearance of the battle scene, and the shape of the text.