WONDERS OF CHINA
Beijing, the Great Wall, Shanghai, Xi'an & Hong Kong • 2013

Beijing: Forbidden City "In the Mist" Architectural Study (Sepia)

Beijing: Forbidden City From A Hilltop Architectural Study #1 (Color)

The Great Wall: Traditional Mountain-Water Landscape Study (Color)

Beijing: Forbidden City Hall of Supreme Harmony Study #3 (Color)

The Great Wall: Mountain Ridge Study #2 (Color)

Xi'an: Terracotta Army Excavation Study #1 (Color)

Beijing: Street Scene Architectural Study #1 (Black and White)

Beijing: Prince Gong's Mansion Architectural Study #1 (Color)

Beijing: Cycle Rickshaw Street Scene Study #3 (Color)

Beijing, China: Beijing — Forbidden City Corner Pavilion Waterfront Panorama Study (Sepia)

Shanghai: Night View of Pudong Skyline Study (Color)

Shanghai: The Bund to Pudong Architectural Study (Black and White)

Beijing, China — Prince Gong’s Mansion Street Perspective (Sepia Burgundy Edition)

Beijing: Street Scene Architectural Study #2 (Sepia)

Xi'an: Street Scene Architectural Study #1 (Black and White)

Beijing: Prince Gong's Mansion Entrance Study (Black and White)

Beijing: Forbidden City Architectural Study #2 (Black & White)

Xi’an, China — Terracotta Army Excavation Trio Study (Sepia)

Beijing: Forbidden City Rooftops Architectural Study (Black and White)

Beijing: Forbidden City Corner Pavilion Study (Color)

Beijing: Forbidden City Hilltop Panoramic Study (Color)

Beijing: Forbidden City Roof Tiles Geometric Study (Black and White)

Forbidden City — Corner Pavilion Reflection Study (Burgundy Sepia Edition)
Wonders of China: Archival Landscape & Architectural Studies
Illuminating the monumental scale, imperial symmetry, and historic lineage of China’s most significant cultural landmarks, the William Curtis Rolf collection presents a quiet dialogue between ancient dynastic architecture and contemporary metropolitan form.
Developed through careful logistical planning and private local guidance, the vacant studies look far beyond traditional public viewpoints. From the subterranean excavation pits of the 2,200‑year‑old Terracotta Army in Xi’an to the dawn mist drifting across the Forbidden City rooftops in Beijing, Rolf's photography highlights classical geometric structure and enduring craftsmanship. Select compositions gently echo the spirit of traditional Shan Shui (mountain‑water) landscape painting, treating distant ridgelines as soft, atmospheric gradients.
Grand‑scale prints from the archival collection are held in prestigious private collections worldwide. Our studio collaborates closely with architectural firms, art consultants, and design professionals to tailor exhibition‑scale formats, spatial integration, and trade pricing for each project.
