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2 janvier 2017

CaixaForum Barcelona presents "Ming. The Golden Empire"

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Lidded vase in underglaze red, from the tomb of Princess Ancheng, 1384–1443. © Nanjing Museum

BARCELONA.- CaixaForum Barcelona is presenting Ming. The Golden Empire, an exhibition devoted to art and culture from one of the most iconic periods in Chinese history, renowned for its artistic, social and economic advances. 

The purpose behind the exhibitions that ”la Caixa” Foundation has dedicated over the years to the great cultures of the past is to enable audiences to discover ways in which men and women from different places and times have attempted to resolve the great universal questions, and to broaden our understanding of the world through studies of the most recent historical and archaeological research. 

The purpose behind the exhibitions that ”la Caixa” Foundation has dedicated over the years to the great cultures of the past is to enable audiences to discover ways in which men and women from different places and times have attempted to resolve the great universal questions, and to broaden our understanding of the world through studies of the most recent historical and archaeological research. 

 

enamelled-copper-plate-late-ming-period-c-nanjing-museum

Enamelled copper plate, Late Ming period. © Nanjing Museum 

Visitors to this latest show are invited to discover the great artistic, social and economic advances which led the period of rule under the Ming dynasty to become known as “The Golden Empire” in Chinese history. The show is structured around four sections, four journeys around the art, culture and society of that glorious period. 

Ming. The Golden Empire features a total of 126 artefacts from the impressive collections of the Nanjing Museum, including superb Ming ceramics, paintings and works by some of the most outstanding artists of the time, as well as exquisite jewels, fabrics and enamel, gilt and porcelain works never before seen in Spain. 

The Nanjing Museum, China’s first great national museum, conserves more than 400,000 pieces, spanning the period from the Palaeolithic to the present. These holdings include one of the finest collections of works from one of the most important dynasties in China, which has exercised the greatest influence in arousing admiration for the country’s culture around the world.  

enamelled-and-gilded-copper-ding-shaped-censer-jingtai-reign-1449-57-c-nanjing-museum

Enamelled and gilded copper ding-shaped censer, Jingtai reign, 1449–57. © Nanjing Museum

A dynasty that changed the country forever 
The Ming dynasty ruled over China for 276 years. From 1368 to 1644, sixteen emperors from the Zhu family governed a population that rose from 65 million to 175 million people. 

Over that period, China accumulated enormous wealth and became known in Europe as a source of luxury goods and a place full of extraordinary mysteries. The combination of opulence and foreign influence generated tensions within Ming society that changed the country forever. 

The Chinese name for the dynasty, Da Ming, means “great brilliance”. Moreover, each emperor’s reign was given a special name, chosen to describe his personality. The reign of the first emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang (1368-1398), was known as Hongwu, that is to say, “Vastly Martial”, alluding to the military origins of the Ming dynasty, which had defeated the Yuan dynasty, installed in power by the Mongols in 1279. 

 

portrait-of-he-bin-commander-in-chief-of-the-ming-dynasty-born-in-shanyin-zhejiang-c-nanjing-museum

Portrait of He Bin, commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty born in Shanyin, Zhejiang © Nanjing Museum

The need to defend China against the return of foreign domination, particularly by its northern neighbours, the Mongols, determined the way in which the Ming dynasty went about ruling the country. The ruling dynasty considered that it was essential to ensure strong central government, good communications and large armies. There was also a concern for reviving the traditional Chinese values of the family, education and culture, on which the social hierarchy and stability were based. 

However, other factors also entered into play. The growth of trade, encouraged by the arrival of foreign silver from Japan and South America, presented a challenge to the established order. The population increased, the cities grew, and a new “consumer culture” began to spread among the burgeoning merchant class. The old certainties were beginning to collapse.

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Golden cicada on a leaf of jade, late 15th to early 16th century. © Nanjing Museum

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Cloisonné vase with floral decoration, Ming dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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Blue and white porcelain censer. China, Ming Dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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Blue and White porcelain vase with blue floral decoration, Ming dynasty, Official Kilns, Jingdezhen  © Nanjing Museum

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'Three Friends of the Cold Season' Porcelain vase with pine, bamboo, plum blossom design, Ming dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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Wucai fish bowl, Ming dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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White glazed porcelain jar with lotus shaped lid, Ming dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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Painting of the Forbidden City, Ming dynasty  © Nanjing Museum.

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Tang Yin (1470-1524)A young lady playing a fluteMing dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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Tang Yin (1470-1524)Ancient Trees and Secluded Bamboo GroveMing dynasty © Nanjing Museum

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Wen Zhengming, Scene in the Mist, Mid-Ming period. © Nanjing Museum

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Wen Zhengming, Riverside Pavilion, Mid-Ming period© Nanjing Museum

lan-ying-fan-depicting-orchids-blooming-among-rocks-late-ming-period-c-nanjing-museum

Lan Ying, Fan depicting orchids blooming among rocks, Late Ming period. © Nanjing Museum.

i-a-map-of-the-myriad-countries-of-the-world-i-hand-drawn-version-of-the-1602-printed-map-prepared-by-matteo-ricci-wanli

A Map of the Myriad Countries of the World. Hand-drawn version of the 1602 printed map prepared by Matteo Ricci. Wanli reign, 1572–1620. © Nanjing Museum.

length-of-gilt-brocade-used-for-making-robes-16th-to-17th-century-c-nanjing-museum

Length of gilt brocade used for making robes. 16th to 17th century. © Nanjing Museum.

wuyi-nanjing-at-dusk-gu-family-embroidery-16th-to-17th-century-c-nanjing-museum

Wuyi (Nanjing) at dusk, Gu Family embroidery, 16th to 17th century© Nanjing Museum

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