Major Exhibition of Masterpieces from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Presented in Houston

17 octobre 2016

Major Exhibition of Masterpieces from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Presented in Houston

Vase with Revolving Core and Eight-Trigram Design, Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor, 1735–96, porcelain with golden glaze and appliquéd sculpture, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum

HOUSTON— The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, opens Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, a major exhibition of more than 160 works of art from the renowned collections of the National Palace Museum, Taipei. The exhibition features a unique selection of paintings, calligraphy, bronzes, and decorative arts, such as porcelain, textiles, enamels, and jade, and will be on view in Houston from October 23, 2016, to January 29, 2017. As of September 21, the closing date is a change from the original date of January 22, 2017.

Co-organized by the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and the National Palace Museum, Taipei, the exhibition is composed of treasures that have rarely been displayed outside of Taipei. Highlights include a white pottery vase from the 11th century, a supreme example of the art of the Chinese potter; landscape paintings by court artists of the 12th century; a calligraphy by the Emperor Huizong in his distinctive style; a “chicken cup” produced in the mid-Ming period, for centuries the most sought after of all porcelain wares on account of its superb quality; fine silk tapestries little known outside China; and the Qianlong emperor’s box of small treasures.

Half-Portraits of Emperor Xuande and Empress Zhang, Ming dynasty, 1368–1644, album leaf: ink and color on paper, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum

Gary Tinterow, director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, commented, “We are grateful to the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and the Asian Art Museum for making this exhibition possible. The collections of imperial treasures housed at the National Palace Museum, Taipei, are unmatched in rarity and scope, and we are thrilled to be able to provide Houston audiences with the special opportunity to experience these remarkable objects in person.”

“The artworks and objects displayed in Emperors’ Treasures celebrate the cultural contributions of these significant imperial rulers, illustrating their roles as distinguished patrons of art, and often, as gifted artists,” added James Watt, consulting curator and curator emeritus of the department of Asian art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. “The exhibition exposes visitors to the art of this important period, including many works and objects never before seen in the U.S.”

Vase with Flying Dragon, Ming dynasty, reign of the Yongle emperor, 1403–24, porcelain with cobalt-blue underglaze, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Emperors’ Treasures presents examples of the finest craftsmanship and imperial taste, exploring the roles that eight emperors and one empress—who ruled between the early-12th-century Song dynasty and the early-20th-century Qing dynasty—had in the establishment and development of new artistic directions through the masterpieces they collected and commissioned, and in some cases, created. The exhibition will illuminate the legacies of Emperors Song Huizong (r. 1100–1125), Kublai Khan (r. 1260–94), Yongle (r. 1403–24), Xuande (r. 1425–35), Kangxi (r. 1662–1722), Yongzheng (r. 1723–35), Qianlong (r. 1735–96), and Empress Dowager Cixi (r. 1861–1908), revealing how each ruler developed his or her distinct aesthetic and influenced the production of the imperial workshops under their reign. Through the examination of each work’s subject, style, and type of craftsmanship, Emperors’ Treasures outlines how Chinese art came to evolve and flourish under Han Chinese, Mongol, and Manchu rulers.

October 23, 2016 — January 29, 2017

Portrait of Kublai Khan’s Consort, Empress Chabi, Yuan dynasty, 1279–1368, album leaf: ink and color on silk, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Portrait of Kublai Khan, Yuan dynasty, 1279–1368, album leaf: ink and color on silk, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Ni Duan, Catching Fish, Ming dynasty, 1368–1644, hanging scroll: ink and color on silk, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Gold Bowl Used Personally by the Qianlong Emperor, Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor, 1735–96, gold, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Jin Tingbiao, Celebrating the New Year, Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor, 1735–96, hanging scroll: ink and color on silk, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Champlevé Ewer with European Figures in Landscape, Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor, 1735–96, gold with enamel inlay, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Jia Shigu, Ancient Temple in Mountain Pass, Southern Song dynasty, 1127–1279, album leaf: ink and color on silk, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Wu Li, White Clouds and Green Mountains, 1668, Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911, handscroll, ink and colors on silk, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum.

Cup with chicken design. China; Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Ming dynasty, reign of the Chenghua emperor (1465–1487). Porcelain with underglaze and overglaze multicolor decoration. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 005189 Cang-164-19-1. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Grotesque Stones, by Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji, Chinese, 1082–1135). China; Northern Song dynasty, reign of the Huizong emperor (1100–1125). Album leaf, ink on paper. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Gushu 000242-2. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Letter to Yan Xiu in running script, by Zhu Xi (1130-1200). Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Album leaf, ink on paper. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Calligraphic works, by Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322) and Xianyu Shu (1257–1302). Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). Album leaves, eight pages, ink on paper. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Gushu 000252-0. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

lnkstone featuring phoenix decoration and fish-fossil inlay with fitted case, by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722). Songhua stone, fish fossil, and clear glass. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Meat-shaped stone, approx. 1800–1900. China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Stone: jasper; stand: gold. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guza 000178 Lü-413. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Vase with Emperor Qianlong’s poem carved on the base. China; Baofeng county, Henan province, Northern Song dynasty (960–1126). Official Ru ware, high-fired ceramic with celadon glaze. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 017856 Kun-223-5. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Vase with West Asian entertainers. China; Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Ming dynasty, reign of the Yongle emperor (1403–1424). Porcelain with underglaze cobalt decoration. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 012549 Que-441. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

White Falcon, by Lang Shining (Giuseppe Castiglione, Italian, 1688–1766). China; Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736–1795). Hanging scroll, colors on silk. National Palace Mu- seum, Taipei, Guhua 000958. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Headdress for a court lady (dianzi). Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Jade, tourmaline, pears, pearls, lapis lazuli, and fabric. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guza 005974 Jin-74-46. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Hairpin ornament in the form of auspicious symbols, 1805. Qing dynasty (1644-1911), reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820). Gilded silver, gold filigree, coral, kingfisher feather, pearls, and other semiprecious stones. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Glass vase with design of peony blossoms, by The Imperial Workshop, Beijing. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662–1722). Glass painted with enamel. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 017588 Lie-360-73. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Jade belt plaque with dragon design, approx. 1300-1400. Yuan (1206-1368) or Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Nephrite, with wood stand made in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Belt ornament set with design of dragons, fish, and flowers. Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Nephrite. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guyu 003477-003496 Tian-1228. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Flower vase. Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Copper alloy with cloisonné enamel inlays. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Gufa 000761 Lü 1847-38. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Vase with a scene of a flower-and-rock garden, by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722). Copper alloy painted with enamel. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Ritual dou vessel with phoenix-shaped handles, by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Yongzheng (1723–1735). Copper alloy with cloisonné enamel inlays. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Gufa 000116 Lie 427–16. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Vessel in the shape of a mythical beast (xizun ), by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). Copper alloy with cloisonné enamel inlays, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Vase with flower designs. Ming dynasty (1368-1644), reign of Emperor Yongle (1403–1424. Carved red lacquer (tihong). National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guqi 000468 Que-395-2. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Hibiscus-shaped bowl, by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Yongzheng (1723–1735). Agate. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guza 000108 Tian-168-16. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Pillow in the shape of a recumbent boy. Ding kiln, Hebel province, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). High-fired ceramic with glaze, National Palace Museum, Taipei,. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Cup and saucer. Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). Porcelain with cobalt glaze and gilt decoration. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 017371 Tian-1146-1, Guci 017370 Tian-1146. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Ewer in the shape of a monk’s cap with poem by Emperor Qianlong carved on the bottom. Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Ming dynasty, reign of Emperor Xuande (1426–1435). Porcelain with red glaze. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 017764 Lü-1804-30. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Bowl with design of cranes and long-tailed birds amid camellias and rocks. Glazed bowl made in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province; decoration by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), reign of Emperor Yongzheng (1723–1735). Porcelain with overglaze multicolor enamel. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 017543 Lie 226. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Bowl with red-billed blue magpies in a bamboo-end-rock garden. Glazed bowl made in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province;decorated by the Imperial Workshop, Beijing, Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Yongzheng (1723-1735). Porcelain with overglaze multicolor enamel. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Vase with revolving core and eight-trigram design, approx

Vase with revolving core and eight-trigram design, approx. 1744. Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736–1795). Porcelain with golden glaze, multicolor decoration, and appliqué sculpture. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guci 017214 Lie-408. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Spittoon with floral décor. Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), reign of Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908). Porcelain with overglaze polychrome decoration. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Snow over mountains and streams at dusk, approx. 1100–50. Song dynasty (960–1279). Hanging scroll, ink on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guhua 000143. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Walking on a path in spring, by Ma Yuan (active approx. 1160–after 1225), calligraphy attributed to Zhao Kuo (Emperor Ningzong, 1168–1224). Southern Song dynasty, reign of Emperor Ningzong (1195–1224). Album leaf, ink and color on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guhua 001289-13. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Half portrait of Empress Wu. Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Album leaf, ink and color on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Half-portrait of Emperor Gaozong, Zhao Gou. Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Album leaf, ink end color on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Goddess Magu (Hemp Maiden). Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guhua 002064. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Thatched House on the East Mountain, 1343, by Wang Meng (1308-1 385). Yuan dynasty (1206-1368). Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

The Eulogy of the 011m (Chinese unicorn), an Auspicious Omen, approx. 1414. Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Hanging scroll, ink end color on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei,. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Cats in a flower-and-rock garden, 1426, by Zhu Zhanji (Emperor Xuande, 1398–1435). Ming dynasty, reign of Emperor Xuande (1425–1435). Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guhua 000421. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Mountain villa and lofty retreat, attributed to Li Zai (died 1431). Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Hanging scroll, ink on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Peaks emerging from spring clouds, by Wang Yuanqi (1642-1715). Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1 722). Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Illustrations of farming and weaving, approx. 1696, by Leng Mei (1662–after 1742). Qing dynasty (1644–1911), reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662–1722). Album leaves, colors on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guhua 003383. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Beijing Observatory (Observatoire de Peking), 1736, by Jean-Baptiste Du Halde (France, 1674–1743). Qing dynasty (1644–1911), reign of Emperor Yongzheng (1723–35). Etching and engraving on paper. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Zengtu 000032. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Three sheep (yang) bring peacefulness, 1772, by Hongli (Emperor Qianlong, 1711-1799). Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Nine goats bring peace to the New Year. Qing dynasty, reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). Tapestry (kesi) with embroidery. National Palace Museum, Taipei. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.