Portrait of Prince Zhu Youyuan in Ceremonial Uniform, 1521--1524; Jiajing period (1522--1566); hanging scroll, colors on silk; 94 x 44 1/2 inches; Palace Museum, Beijing.

SAINT LOUIS, MO.- 2008—The Saint Louis Art Museum opens the Power and Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty, the first exhibition of its kind to focus on the art from China’s Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

Featuring more than 125 magnificent works including porcelain, paintings, textiles, lacquerware, jade and precious metals, this groundbreaking exhibition explores the grandeur and opulence of one of the most important dynasties in Chinese history. The objects include not only artifacts made by imperial manufacturers but also paintings created by emperors and other high-ranking officials. Many are on view for the first time outside of China.

Works in the exhibition are drawn from three of China’s most prestigious institutions—the Palace Museum, Beijing; the Nanjing Municipal Museum; and the Shanghai Museum—along with objects from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.

“Renowned for its refined aesthetic, Ming court art is both visually beautiful and profoundly significant,” said Philip Hu, associate curator of Asian art. “For nearly three centuries, the strong imperial patronage of Ming emperors produced new heights in Chinese art.”

Ming, which means “bright” in Chinese, is an appropriate name for a dynasty whose 276-year reign was marked by stability, economic strength and art. As China’s last native-ruled dynasty, it is revered as a pinnacle of cultural achievement.

Imperially supervised workshops and kilns followed strict standards for the creation of goods for use at court. Under these rigorous guidelines, Ming porcelains and other materials such as lacquerware, metalwork and textiles became esteemed for their quality.

Power and Glory: Court Arts from China’s Ming Dynasty was organized and curated by He Li, associate curator of Chinese art, and Michael Knight, senior curator of Chinese art and deputy director of strategic programs and partnerships at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Curated at the Saint Louis Art Museum by Philip Hu, associate curator of Asian art, the exhibition will be on view in the Museum’s Main Exhibition Galleries through May 17, 2009. The exhibition was on view at Asian Art Museum of San Francisco June 27–September 21, 2008, and at the Indianapolis Museum of Art October 26, 2008–January 11, 2009.

Rectangular box, c.1600--1650; ‘‘purple sandalwood’’ (zitan) with inlays of motherofpearl and stone; 8 5/8 x 13 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches; Palace Museum, Beijing