The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Virtuosity and Artistic Richness of 18th-Century Chinese Court’s Decorative Arts on Display at Metropolitan Museum
Installation dates: August 25 – November 25, 2007 – Location: Florence and Herbert Irving Galleries for Chinese Decorative Arts
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An exhibition featuring a remarkable assemblage of porcelain, metalwork, jade, lacquer, and textiles created during the Qing dynasty of China will go on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on August 25. Drawn from the permanent collection and complemented by select loans, Excellence and Elegance: Decorative Arts of the Eighteenth-Century Qing Court will explore the unprecedented level of technical virtuosity achieved during this period. The exhibition also illustrates the imperial taste for ancient themes, interest in Western motifs, and exacting patronage that contributed to the flourishing of the decorative arts. Among the 60 works on view will be a dazzling selection of rare porcelain wares, decorated with monochrome glaze or enamel colors.
The exhibition is made possible by The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation.
The Manchus, a semi-nomadic people who conquered China and established the Qing dynasty in 1644, were the foremost promoters of Chinese cultural tradition. With strong patronage from the imperial court, Chinese decorative arts reached their peak of efflorescence in the 18th century. The spectacular works created during this period, especially porcelain, jades, carved lacquer, painted enamel, and textiles, were considered the finest in the history of Chinese art.
Among the masterpieces on view are: a majestic porcelain vase decorated with famille rose enamels; a pair of elegant jars in clear celadon glaze with handsomely carved dragons on their shoulders; a white jade sculpture, Boy with Water Buffalo , executed with fluent lines and gentle curves to give the hard material a soft touch; a large vase of painted enamel with an exotic landscape scene exemplifying European influence on Chinese art; and a gilt-silver-filigree box inlaid with semiprecious stones, demonstrating the artistic sophistication and ultimate skills of Qing craftsmen.
The exhibition is organized by Jason Sun, Associate Curator in the Department of Asian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It will be featured on the Metropolitan Museum’s Web site (www.metmuseum.org)
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