《秘殿珠林》、《石渠寶笈》是有史以來,最詳細的皇家收藏目錄。本論文認為乾隆皇帝著意編纂這兩部目錄的原因,衍生自他初即位時希望詳細掌握內府所藏物資及其品質,因此自雍正十三年(1735)後期,他已下令清點宮中各類財產,書畫收藏當然亦在查核之列。為了確定品質,乾隆皇帝稍後引入了張照等翰林詞臣參與清點與評等,並編纂出《秘殿珠林》、《石渠寶笈》初編。利用檔案資料的分析比對後,可知初編藏品內容,反應的並非乾隆朝新徵集購藏的書畫,相當部分應為順治、康熙、雍正朝的宮中舊藏。 乾隆皇帝青宮時期收藏多為傳稱作品,品質不佳。在《秘殿珠林》、《石渠寶笈》初編編纂過程,他利用精彩的宮中舊藏,輔以張照等詞臣對這些藏品所作的評等鑑別,建立起自己對鑑賞書畫作品更飽滿的自信。在一系列清點整編的過程中,乾隆皇帝不但為宮中書畫藏品的裝裱與收藏方式訂出新規範,也更不客氣地在書畫作品上留下題跋,並屢屢剔除重書、重裱……,力求以體面的書蹟傳世。 《石渠寶笈》初編纂修完成後,乾隆皇帝尚增附新成立的數間「特藏室」藏品目錄於後,反應了他對書畫作品益發熾盛的興趣。而乾隆十二、十三年停止的這類附錄增補活動,則反應了他很可能已思及未來續編編纂的內容,將以彰顯乾隆朝為主的書畫收藏成就。是故,《秘殿珠林》、《石渠寶笈》的編纂,對於乾隆皇帝作為史上最著名的皇帝鑑賞家,實具關鍵地位。
The Pearl Forest of the Secret Hall and the Precious Collection of the Stone Moat are the most detailed imperial catalogs on painting and calligraphy in history. The reason Emperor Qianlong intended to compile these two catalogs was derived from his desire to know well the quantities and qualities of the imperial properties when he ascended the throne. Therefore, since the late 13th year of Yongzheng (1735), he has ordered to check the palace inventory. Calligraphy and painting collections are of course included in the inspection. For determining the quality, Emperor Qianlong later introduced Zhang Zhao to lead other court officials to participate in the inventory and evaluation, and compiled the first editions of the Pearl Forest of the Secret Hall and the Precious Collection of the Stone Moat. After the analysis and comparison of the archives, it can be seen that a considerable part of the initial series should be the old collections in the palaces from the Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Yongzheng periods. The collections Emperor Qianlong owned when he was a prince were mostly attributed works of poor quality. In the process of compilation of the Pearl Forest of the Secret Hall and the Precious Collection of the Stone Moat, Emperor Qianlong took advantage of the wonderful collections in the palace, supplemented by the evaluation and identification by Zhang Zhao and other officials, and then he established his self-confidence on appreciation of painting and calligraphy works. During the inventory process, Emperor Qianlong not only laid down new standards for mounting and preservation but also left inscriptions on his collections more often. After the initial series of the Precious Collection of the Stone Moat was completed, Emperor Qianlong added several newly established "Special Collection Rooms" catalogs as supplements, reflecting his growing interest in calligraphy and painting. Around the twelfth and thirteenth year of Qianlong period, he stopped adding more supplements. It reflected that he might have thought about the future content of the second series will highlight the achievements of the painting and calligraphy collection of the Qianlong period. Therefore, the compilation of the Pearl Forest of the Secret Hall and the Precious Collection of the Stone Moat played a key role for Emperor Qianlong to become the most famous emperor connoisseur in history.