[caption id="attachment_3405" align="alignnone" width="284"]<a href="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/fie23976_21025.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3405" alt="fie23976_21025" src="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/fie23976_21025-284x300.png" width="284" height="300" /></a> Xu Yang, <em>Bird's Eye View of the Capital</em> http://textflow.mcgraw-hill.com//figures/0077346181/fie23976_21025.png[/caption]

The Forbidden City "was the most elaborate imperial monument of the Ming and Qing eras" (Fiero). Once the Ming court settled it in 1421, it remained a cornerstone of Chinese government and artistic vision into the early 20th century. The longevity of this work and it's importance as the seat of Chinese government make a strong case for it's worth as an object of preservation.