Middle-Ranking Officer, Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), earthenware, Excavated from Pit 1, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1976, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

The Cincinnati Art Museum co-organized the exhibition with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), where it debuted from November 18, 2017 to March 11, 2018. The exhibition is presented in partnership with Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi History Museum (Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center), and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum of the People’s Republic of China. Dr. Hou-mei Sung, Curator of Asian Art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, curated the exhibition with Li Jian, the VMFA’s E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Curator of East Asian Art. 

Terracotta Army’s story begins with Ying Zheng (259-210 B.C.), who became the first emperor of China in 221 B.C., after his army defeated other regional states and unified the country. After coming to power, he implemented fundamental cultural, political and economic reforms and established China’s core territory. 

Middle-Ranking Officer, detail, Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), earthenware, Excavated from Pit 1, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1976, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

In 1974 local farmers digging a well outside the city of Xi’an in Shaanxi province, China, discovered pottery shards and bronze arrows near the mausoleum of Ying Zheng. This led to the astonishing discovery of 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses, which is considered one of the most important archaeological finds in human history. The mausoleum was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 

Significantly, the exhibition considers the relationship between the first emperor’s Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.) and other peoples, exploring their distinctive artistic styles and fostering an appreciation of diverse cultures. The exhibition also provides a glimpse into ongoing excavations and research, which continue to shed new light on the Qin culture and the First Emperor’s burial complex.

Standing Archer, Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), earthenware, Excavated from Pit 2, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1997, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

“I believe this exhibition will provide a great opportunity for American audiences to understand the daily life of Qin people and the visual culture of the empire more than 2,000 years ago. This exhibition actively promotes cultural exchange between China and the United States, and increases understanding and friendship between peoples of both nations,” said Dr. Zhao Rong, Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau. 

A major scholarly catalogue titled Terracotta Army: Legacy of the First Emperor of China accompanies the exhibition. It includes contributions from the curators and other scholars and features new scholarship and research based on recent excavations. 

The exhibition is on view in the Western & Southern Galleries (232 and 233).

Kneeling Archer, Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), earthenware, 122 x 62 x 53 cm, Excavated from Pit 2, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1977, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

Kneeling Archer, detail, Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), earthenware, 122 x 62 x 53 cm, Excavated from Pit 2, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1977, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

Armored Charioteer (detail), Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), Earthenware, Excavated from Pit 1, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1980, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.

Stable Attendant (detail), Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), earthenware, Excavated from Kneeling Figures Pit, Shangjiaocun, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, 1985, Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.