Habit of a Bonza or Priest in China

by Thomas Jefferys

Look back at the mid-1700s through the eyes of this stunning copper plate engraving by the celebrated Geographer to His Majesty King George III, Thomas Jefferys. Here you will see a glimpse of the elegant attire and character of a "Bonza," otherwise known as a Buddhist priest or monk from the Qing Dynasty.

Depicted here with the distinctive engraved lines seen in Jefferys' work, this illustration captures the regal attire and meditative pose of the monks of ancient China. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this artwork is a historical record of the Enlightenment Europe's preoccupation with the religion of the Far East.