On the afternoon of 21 November 2025, the “I-SISers” Masterclass Afternoon Tea was held at the Bocheng Café in the SIS Building. The event, themed “Beauty as Strategy: Artistic Diplomacy of the Este and Gonzaga Families during the Renaissance,” featured Tian Li, Visiting Professor at the Rome University of Fine Arts, as the keynote speaker.

Attendees included: Yuan Ming, Professor at the School of International Studies and Honorary Dean of Yenching Academy of Peking University; Wang Yizhou, Professor at the School of International Studies and Dean of the Institute of Area Studies of Nanjing University; Yu Tiejun, Dean of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies of Peking University and Director of the Department of National Security Studies of SIS; Dong Zhaohua, Associate Dean and Director of Department of International Political Economy of SIS; Zuo Jing, Assistant Dean and Deputy Director of Operations of Yenching Academy; Zhang Xinyang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of SIS. Li Ruixuan, Secretary of the Youth League Committee; and Feng Yixin, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee. The event was moderated by Zhang Xinyang and joined by more than twenty students.

Opening Remarks by Yuan Ming

 

Prof. Yuan Ming delivered the opening remarks, extending a warm welcome to Prof. Tian Li. She emphasized that “art opens a new window onto the study of international relations,” and that scholars in this field must undergo spiritual refinement to maintain inner warmth and respect. She highlighted Tian Li’s longstanding dedication to the arts, noting that her unique artistic perspectives offer fresh academic insights for the study of international relations and help students broaden their horizons through interdisciplinary exchange. She concluded by reaffirming that the “I-SISers” program is committed to fostering mutual understanding and cultural exchange between Chinese and international students, and expressed hope that this event would further expand interdisciplinary platforms for dialogue.

Lecture by Tian Li

 

Prof. Tian Li traced the artistic interactions of the Este and Gonzaga families during the Renaissance, illustrating how art functioned both as a medium of power narration and a tool of diplomatic engagement.

She first introduced key rulers of the Este family and their patronage of the arts during the reign of Borso d’Este. The first example was the Borso Bible, an illuminated manuscript hailed as a pinnacle of artistic achievement. Made from specially crafted vellum and embellished with gold, silver, and rare pigments, it features exquisite illustrations reflecting the Este family’s immense wealth, refined taste, and cultural influence.

The second example was the frescoes of the Palazzo Schifanoia, which depict the twelve months and their corresponding zodiac signs, as well as scenes of prosperity under Borso d’Este. Tian Li noted that by intertwining the divine, the cosmic, and the human realms, the artwork “used art as a medium of self-representation to secure papal recognition”—a hallmark of artistic diplomacy.

She then introduced two treasures of the Gonzaga family: The Triumphs of Caesar and the Giants’ Hall frescoes. Using these grand works as examples, she explained how the Gonzaga family leveraged the scarcity of art by gifting masterpieces to lay the groundwork for gaining papal support in future conflicts. In her words, “art is never pure—it embodies the desire for power.” Both manuscripts and frescoes served as mobile “diplomatic texts” and negotiation tools.

Interactive Discussion

During the Q&A session, Prof. Tian Li addressed students’ questions on the mechanisms of visualizing power and the diplomatic functions of art. She emphasized that both families used culture to consolidate internal authority and elevate their external reputations, effectively transforming cultural soft power into diplomatic influence. She elaborated that in the 15th and 16th centuries, works of art were far more than decoration—they were central to national security strategies and reflected rulers’ calculation of diplomatic value. She added that art continues to inspire unique approaches today for studying the interplay between power, international relations, and aesthetics.

Concluding Remarks

Prof. Wang Yizhou thanked Tian Li for her insightful lecture, noting that the arts offer profound inspiration for contemporary scholars of international relations: the field is not merely defined by cold calculations, competition, and the “law of the jungle,” but also by communication and empathy. In an age of uncertainty, he said, we must “wear a warm humanistic coat,” valuing cultural exchange and embracing openness and inclusivity.

Prof. Yu Tiejun emphasized that China’s contemporary strategic communication goal—presenting a “credible, lovable, and respectable China”—depends on using culture and art to make China’s image vivid and relatable. He encouraged students in international relations to explore artistic and humanistic dimensions of communication and preserve the “constant of humanity” amid an era of volatility.

The event concluded with a group photo. The “I-SISers” Masterclass Afternoon Tea ended in a warm and harmonious atmosphere. The session not only broadened students’ interdisciplinary understanding but also strengthened their sense of mission and responsibility as members of the international relations community. “Grounded in the humanities, poised for the times,” the event encouraged students to continue reflecting deeply on humanity, examining themselves, engaging the world, and shining brightly on their future journeys.

 

Written by: Wang Ermo

Photos by: Li Aobing

Source: SIS News(Chinese)

Communist Youth League Committee

School of International Studies, Peking University