The Messenger Of China-Europe Science And Technology Exchange In The 18th Century

The research subject of this thesis is Pierre Nicolas Le Cheron d’Incarville(1706-1757),a French Jesuit who came to China in the mid-18th century.The study focuses on his life,major works,and achievements in the field of natural history.Using the method of literature research,this paper aims to comprehensively depict the life of d’Incarville based on his works and research materials about him,and to analyze his scientific practices and academic achievements in the fields of natural history and traditional handicrafts.Furthermore,it elaborates on his important role in the material and cultural exchanges between China and the West.The introduction part explains the significance of this research,and reviews previous studies on d’Incarville.As an messengers of material and cultural exchanges between China and the West,d’Incarville was known more as a botanist in Europe,especially in France,than as a missionary.Therefore,his achievements and contributions to natural history,especially his introduction of Chinese plants into Europe,received substantial scholarly attention in France..However,there is still a lack of in-depth studies,especially on his writings and studies on d’Incarville remain limited in China...C hapter One provides a comprehensive introduction to d’Incarville’s life and major achievements according to his letters and relevant literature.This section includes his early experiences before coming to China,his interactions with European botanists,and his accomplishments as a horticulturist and glassmaker in the imperial court in ancient China.His main contributions can be summarized as introducing European plants to China and introducing Chinese plants to Europe.Chapter Two focuses on d’Incarville’s works and research in natural history with three representative works being the main emphasis:1)the Chinese plant atlas compiled based on Bencao Pinhui Jingyao;2)the plant specimens collected by d’Incarville in Beijing and Macau;and 3)a catalog of Chinese fauna and flora in Russia.Chapter Three introduces d’Incarville’s works on traditional Chinese handicrafts,including several informative articles he wrote for the French Royal Academy of Sciences,such as"Mémoire sur la manière singulière dont les Chinois fondent la corne à lanterne" "Mémoire sur le vernis de la Chine" "Manière de faire les fleurs dans les feux artifice chinois" and "De la maniere de fabriquer le salpetre en Chine".This thesis is based on the history of cultural exchanges between China and the West during the Ming and Qing dynasties,aiming to reposition the unique role of d’Incarville under this context.As a missionary,sinologist,botanist,and glassmaker,d’Incarville made significant contributions to the history of cultural and technological exchanges between China and the West.Although his comprehensive sinological achievements may not be as outstanding as those of Matteo Ricci,Johann Adam Schall von Bell,Michael Boym,and Joseph-Marie Amiot,d’Incarville also achieved remarkable results in his own field and became a unique member of the messengers who communicated between the Chinese and Western civilizations in the 18th century,which deserves to be remembered by future generations.