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Saint Louis Art Museum opens 'Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty'

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Written by rubin   
Monday, 23 February 2009 21:03

Covered jar with fish in a lotus pond; Jiajing period (1522–1566); Jingdezhen, Porcelain with underglaze cobalt & overglaze polychrome decoration; 19 1/2 x 15 3/4 in. - Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage Collection

Saint Louis, MO - Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is a landmark exhibition, as it is the first to showcase a full spectrum of extraordinary works made during the reign of an imperial house that ruled China from 1368 to 1644. A representative range of architectural fragments, archaeological materials, and decorative arts are featured in the exhibition, as well as paintings; ceramics; jade, gold and silver jewelry; metalwork; lacquer-ware; textiles; musical instruments; and woodblock printing. Many of the works have never been shown in the United States before. On view 22 February through 17 May,2009.

With over 125 spectacular works commissioned by, or presented to, the imperial courts in both Nanjing and Beijing, the exhibition draws special attention to the hitherto neglected artistic, cultural, and technological achievements of the early Ming period, which established very high standards in terms of ingenuity of design, luxury of materials, and superb craftsmanship for the remainder of the dynasty.

The works in the exhibition have been drawn from China's finest museums—the Palace Museum, Beijing; the Nanjing Municipal Museum; and the Shanghai Museum—along with objects from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.

The first Ming capital was established in Nanjing but was moved north to Beijing in 1420 for political and strategic reasons. Nevertheless, Nanjing retained considerable importance as an auxiliary capital until the fall of the Ming in 1644.

Two dragons presenting a heart-shaped amber, buried 1647–1658; from the tomb of Lady Chen, wife of Tong Bonian, amber and ruby; gold with repoussé & filigree designs; 2 3/8 x 2 x 3/4 inches; Nanjing Municipal Museum Organized chronologically, the exhibition is divided into five main sections representing the interrelated cultural phases of the Ming dynasty: "Empire of the Great Ming: The First Capital at Nanjing," "From the Yangzi to the Great Wall: A New Capital at Beijing," "Imperial Ming Splendor: Court Arts in the North and South," "Superfluous Things: The Flourishing of Diverse Arts and Culture," and "Twilight of the Ming: A Century of Opulence and Decadence."

Curated in St. Louis by Philip Hu, associate curator of Asian art, Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is on view February 22 through May 17, 2009 in the Main Exhibition Galleries.

Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty has been organized by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; the Palace Museum, Beijing; the Nanjing Municipal Museum; and the Shanghai Museum. This exhibition was developed by a grant from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Starr Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. A great nation deserves great art.

The Saint Louis Art Museum's presentation of Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is supported by Emerson. Support for Public Programs has been provided by The Blakemore Foundation. Visit : http://www.slam.org/

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