Contact: MicheleDilworth(415)5813713orpr@asianart.org TimHallman(415)5813711orpr@asianart.

org

POWER& GLORY: COURT ARTSOF CHINAS MINGDYNASTY

June27September21,2008
ArarecollaborationbetweenthreeofChinasmostprominentmuseumsbringsthefirstexhibitionof MingdynastycourtartstotheUnitedStates. SanFrancisco,CA,May19,2008:Forcenturies,Mingporcelain vaseshavebeenregardedastheepitomeofpricelessbeauty.The AsianArtMuseumsspecialexhibition,Power&Glory:CourtArts ofChinasMingDynastydemonstrateswhynotjustvasesbutMing artofmanytypeshasearnedsuchacclaim.OnviewfromJune27 September21,2008,thismajorgroundbreaking exhibitionexplores thegrandeurandopulenceofoneofthemostimportantdynastiesin Chinesehistory.Power&GloryalsomarkstheAsianArt MuseumsfirstcollaborationwiththreeofChinasmostprestigious institutionsThePalaceMuseum(ForbiddenCity)inBeijing,the NanjingMunicipalMuseum,andtheShanghaiMuseum.Someof themostpreciousartworksfromtheMingdynasty(13681644) fromthesemuseums,alongwithsomeofthefinestitemsfrom thisperiodownedbytheAsianArtMuseum,makeupPower& Glory,the firstexhibition intheU.S.tofocusonthefullrangeof Mingcourtarts.Manyofthemorethan240artworksporcelain,paintings,textiles,lacquer,jade, jewelry,architecturalelements,andmore willbeonpublicviewforthefirsttime.The exhibition providesarareopportunitytoexperiencethebreadthanddepthofMingachievement,throughan unequaledcollectionofworksfromthe Chinese dynastymostrenownedforitsrefinedaestheticand standardsofperfection.TheexhibitionwilltraveltotheIndianapolisMuseumofArt(October26 January11,2009)andtheSt.LouisMuseumofArt(February22May17,2009). ThisexhibitionwasorganizedandcuratedbyLiHe,AssociateCuratorofChineseArt,and MichaelKnight,SeniorCuratorofChineseArtandDeputyDirectorofStrategicProgramsand Partnerships.TheMingdynastywasmuchmorethanthefineporcelainvasesthattheworld continuestocovetcenturieslater.LiandI,togetherwithourcounterpartsinChina,workedhardto
more
PortraitofPrinceZhuYouyuanin ceremonialuniform,anon.Mingartist, approximately15211524,reignofthe Jiajingemperor(15221566).Hanging scroll,colorsonsilk.PalaceMuseum Beijing.

POWER& GLORY: COURTARTSOFCHINASMINGDYNASTY

PAGE2

assemble thisunprecedentedexhibitionthatexploresthefullrangeofMingcourtarts.Itisourhope thatmuseumvisitorsofallageswilllearnmore throughthisexhibition abouttheartisticandcultural traditionsofoneofChinasmostcelebrateddynasties,saidKnight. Ms.RuanWeiping,AssociateResearchFellowatthePalaceMuseum,said,Someofthe paintingsandthemajorityoftextilesincludedinthisexhibitionwillbeondisplayforthefirsttime everpriortothis,theywerekeptinourstoreroomsandneverseenbythepublic.Itgoeswithout sayingthattheseobjectsarepricelessandofgreatimportance. ThisexhibitionismadepossiblebytheRobertH.N.HoFamilyFoundation,aHongKong basedphilanthropicorganizationwithamissiontofosterand supportChineseartsandculture,in particularcrossculturalunderstandingbetweenChinaandtheworld. CarolinePfohlHo,PresidentoftheRobertH.N.HoFamilyFoundation,said,2008isthe yearofChina,andtheRobertH.N.HoFamilyFoundationtakesgreatpleasureincontinuingits collaborationwithworldrenownedmuseumsinstagingtimelyexhibitionsthatpresentChinesearts andculturetointernationalaudiences.Thisexhibitionfeaturesover240artifactsfromthreemajor museumsinChina,bringingtolifenotonlytheartisticachievementoftheMingdynasty,butalso dialoguesbetweenmuseumsinChinaandtheU.S.TheFoundationbelievesthatempathyandmutual understandingarekeytosocialharmony,andcanbecultivatedthrough appreciationofthearts.The FoundationalsosharesabeliefofAveryBrundage,foundingfatheroftheAsianArtMuseumand PresidentoftheInternationalOlympicsCommitteefrom1952to1972.Thisbeliefisthat understandingandtolerancecanbefosteredamongthedisparateculturesoftheworldthroughthearts andthroughathletics.TheForbiddenCityconstitutesapricelesstestimonytoChinesecivilization. AudiencesmayfindthattherobustculturalandeconomicstrengthoftheMingdynastydraws analogieswithtodaysChina. TheMingDynasty(13681644) MingwhichmeansbrightinChinese wasanappropriate nameforadynastywhose276yearsof ruleweremarkedbystability,economicstrength,andadramaticflourishingofthearts.Thefirst capitaloftheMingdynastywasinNanjing.Thethird Ming emperor(the Yongle emperor,reigned 140324))transferredthecapitaltoBeijing,andundertheMingdynastytheForbiddenCityinBeijing becameaninternationallandmark.Bytheendofthedynasty,Beijing supportedapopulationofmore thanonemillionpeople.TheForbiddenCityalongwiththeoutlying region thatsupporteditmade Beijingaserviceandsupplycenterthatwasundoubtedlythelargestofitskindintheworldatthat timeaccordingtothelateChinesehistorian RayHuang. AsChinaslastnativeruleddynasty,theMingdynastyisreveredasapinnacleofcultural achievement.Imperiallysupervisedworkshopsandkilnsfollowedstrictguidelinesforthecreationof goodsforroyalconsumption.UndertheserigorousguidelinessetforthbythecourtbasedBureauof

more

POWER& GLORY: COURTARTSOFCHINASMINGDYNASTY

PAGE3

Design,Mingporcelainsandotherartworkssuchaslacquer,metalwork,andtextilesbecameworld renownedfortheirquality.Power&Gloryprovidesarareopportunitytoexperiencefirsthandthe majesticperfectionofMingdynastyartisticendeavors. ExhibitionOverview Power&GloryisdividedintoseventhemesrelatedtodifferentaspectsofMingcourtlife: governmentandranksentertainmentandhobbiesdailylifearchitecture andcourtenvironments technologyandinnovationreligionandbeliefsandeducationandtradition. TheexhibitionopensintheLeeGallerywheremuseumvisitorsdiscovertheintricatecostume systemthatdistinguishedthe GovernmentandRanksofthe Mingrulingelite.In1393theHongwu emperorissuedguidelinesthatexplicitlyoutlinedwhatgovernmentofficialscouldwear,andhowthey shouldwearit.Forexample,a1405edictregulating crownaccessoriesstatedthatdragons,phoenix, clouds,andflowerswereappropriateadornments.Theprescribedmaterialsformakingthese accessoriesweregold,feathers,jade,andgems.Amongthemanyornamentsonviewintheexhibition isabrightlycoloredcrownornamentconsistingofaheartshapedamberpendantflankedbytwo threeclawedgolddragons.Thedragonsgriptheamberwithtongsattheheads,rearlegs,and overlappedtails.Aroundthedragonsfloatwhirlingcloudsthatare inlaidwitharubyatthetopand anotheratthebottom.RepresentingthesymboliccoloroftheMingdynasty,theredheartimplies loyaltytothedynasty.ThisamberpiecewillbeonviewforthefirsttimeintheUnitedStates. AnotherartworkonviewintheGovernmentandRankssectionisbrightyellowsilkmaterial embroideredwithdragonswhichwasintendedtobearobe.Theparticularyellowhuewassolely reservedfortheuseoftheemperor.Whileconductingresearchfortheexhibition,AssociateCurator LiHediscoveredtherobeinitsoriginalboxinstorageatthePalaceMuseuminBeijing.Therobe datingtothe1600shadneverbeensewntogetherandisinabsolutepristinecondition.Itsinclusion inPower&GlorymarksitsU.S.debut. Power&GlorycontinuesintheHambrechtGallerywithasectiononthe Entertainmentand PastimesoftheMingdynastycourt.Artworksincludemusicalinstruments,otheraccessoriesfor amusements,andpaintingsdepictingvariouspastimesofthoseinthecourt.Ahighlightisapainting by ZhuZhanji,thefifthMingEmperor(reigned14251435),withthereigntitleXuande,entitled Rats afterbittermelonsandfruits.Thishandscrolldatestotheearlyfifteenthcenturyanddepictsvariations on aratnibblingatmanyseededfruitsandcasting longingeyesonripebittermelons.Theratis traditionallyassociatedwithqualitiesofintelligenceandfertility(Power&Gloryispresentedatthe museumintheYearoftheRat,accordingtotheChineselunarcalendar).Manyseededfruitsalsoare symbolicoffertility.Together,theimagesmanifesttheChinesepopularsaying:Mayyouhavesons andgrandsonsfortenthousandgenerations.Throughthepainting the Xuande emperoraddressedhis

more

POWER& GLORY: COURTARTSOFCHINASMINGDYNASTY

PAGE4

wishforeverlastingdynasticsuccession.Theposesoftheratsandtheattentiontominutedetailsand surfacetexturesofthebodydemonstrate theemperorstalent. Thesectionentitled DailyLifeintroducesthefashionsoftheday.Personaladornmentsand decorativeelementsforthehomearefeatured.Anambercupondisplayisofparticularinterest.This isthe largestpieceofamberdiscoveredin Mingdynastytombstodate.Thebaseofthecupisinthe shapeofalotusleaf,with acarvedfishermanservingasitshandle. TheOsherGalleryhousestheremainingfourofthesevenexhibitionthemes:architecture and courtenvironmentstechnologyandinnovationreligionandbeliefsandeducationandtradition.The centerofthegalleryisdevotedtoarchitecturalelementsexcavatedfromthefirstcapitaloftheMing dynastyinNanjing.Artworksdiscoveredfromburialtombsofhighrankinggovernmentfamilieson theoutskirtsofNanjingarealsoincluded.Someofthe ArchitectureandCourtEnvironmentsare fromtheBaoensitemplewhichwasbuiltbythe Yongleemperorasagestureofrespecttohismother andfather.Thetemple tooknineteenyears,overthereignsofthreeemperors,tocomplete.The finishedtemplecomplexhousedaninestoriedoctagonalpagodainthecenterthatwassurroundedby seventytwoarchgateways.Eachofthetwopillarsofagatewaywasdecoratedwiththree symmetricalfriezesmadefromearthenwarefinishedwithacolorfulglaze.Onthebottomwasaflying elephantthevehicleforthemythicLawProtector,Samantabhadra,inthemiddlewasalionthe vehicleforthedeityWenshu,andonthe topsectionofthepillarwasaflyingramwhowasthedeities companion.Allofthesemotifsaresetagainstfloralbackgrounds.Twosegmentsofoneofthese pillarsareonviewintheexhibition:oneoftheflyingelephantandoneofthelion. Thenextsection,entitled TechnologyandInnovation,features,amongotherartifacts, remnantsofthefamedshipyardsusedtobuildthemassive woodenninemastedshipsthelargestthe worldhadseenatthetime sailedbyAdmiralZhengHeduringhisMinggovernmentsponsored expeditionsdatingfrom14051433.Morethan28,000sailorsandmarineswereonthefirstvoyage. ThevoyagessailedalongtheIndianOceanbasinandasfarasAfrica.Porcelainsandtextilesarealso includedin theTechnologyandInnovation sectionoftheexhibition.They illustratethemass productiontechniquesdevelopedduringtheMingdynasty.Anearly formofgunthatusedgunpowder isalsoondisplay.ThegunwasmadeinafoundryinFengyang,thehometownofthe firstMing emperor. Vessels,sutracovers,and otherreligiousandceremonialartworkscomprise the Religionand BeliefssectionofPower&Glory.Therulersofthe Mingdynastybelieved thatemperorswere bestowedthedivinerighttorulebyHeaven.Thisrighttorulewasinheritedfromtheirancestors,but couldbewithdrawnatanytimeandbestoweduponanotherifHeavensodeemed.Emperorsspenta vastamountoftimeandstateresourcesensuring thatthemandatewasnotwithdrawn.Communication withHeavenwasthroughthe ancestorsandthroughaplethoraofritesandrituals.

more

POWER& GLORY: COURTARTSOFCHINASMINGDYNASTY

PAGE5

Inadditiontoancestorworship,Confucianism,BuddhismandTaoismwere supported throughouttheMingdynasty,dependingonthepersonalleaningsof each emperor.Duringthereign oftheYongleemperor,intricatelywoventextiles,imperialporcelains,superbsetsofsutraswith lacqueredcovers,andfabulousimagesofgiltbronzeweremadeintheimperialworkshopsasgiftsto thehigh BuddhistlamasofTibet.Adramaticthangka(aformofBuddhistpaintingorembroidery) includedintheexhibitionwascreatedattheimperialtextileworkshopsbyorderof theYongle emperor.Imposingatapproximately11feetby7feet,thisintricatelyembroideredtextileisinpristine condition.ItdepictsthegodRaktayamariandhisconsortinsexualembrace,representingtheunionof compassionandwisdom.ThistextilewillonlybeonviewattheAsianArtMuseum.Asthethangkais fromaprivatecollection,theexhibitionprovidesanexclusiveopportunitytoviewthisincrediblyrare andstunningartwork. EducationandTradition istheseventhandfinalthemeofPower&Glory.Morethanhalf oftheartworksinthissectionarepaintings.Theyillustratethevariousstylistic influencesonpainters activeattheMing court.Inanefforttoalignthedynastywithprestigiouserasandepisodesfromthe past,Mingdynastycourtpaintersoftenfollowedthetraditionsofthe imperialacademyoftheSong dynasty(9601279).ApaintingintheexhibitionentitledExpansiveriverstwiningaroundclearpeaks byLiZai(d.1431)isanexample.Theartistictreatmentsofbranchesandtexturalstrokesshowthe influenceofSongdynastytraditions,yetvigorousinkwashesdemonstrate adeparturetypicalofthe earlyMing.Threegroupsoffiguresfromdifferentsocialclassesappearin thispainting,each differentiatedbytheactivitiestheyundertake.Intheforeground,fishermeninboatsentertaineach otherbyofferingdrinkandplayingtheChineseflute.Behindahillinapavilionoverthewater,an educatedmanreadsbooks.Beforeamountainhouseinthecenter,ahostgreetsaguestwhois followedbyaboyservantcarryingazitherinstrument. Duringitslongandprosperousrule,theMingdynasty courtactivelysupportedthe flourishingofthearts.ItcontributedmuchtotheculturalheritageofChina.Power&Gloryprovidesa rareopportunitytoviewartisticachievementswhicharepartofitslastinglegacy. AbouttheRobertH.N.HoFamilyFoundation Withdeeprootsin Chineseculture,theRobertH.N.Ho Family Foundationwasfoundedin2005with amissiontofosterandsupportChineseartsandculture,inparticularcrossculturalunderstanding betweenChinaandtheworld.UnderlyingtheFoundationsphilosophyisastrongbeliefinthe importanceofeducatingthewholepersonandcultivatingmutualunderstandingamongpeople,thus benefitingthegrowthoftheindividualaswellassociety.TheFoundationbelievesthatparticipation intheartsenricheslives,liberatespotentialandencouragescreativethinking.Italsohelpspeople approachissuesinlife,societyandtheworldwithgreateringenuity.

more

POWER& GLORY: COURTARTSOFCHINASMINGDYNASTY

PAGE6

Sinceitsinauguration,theFoundationhastakenanactiveroleinsupportingnumerousarts andculturalprogramsinternationally.In2007,itsupported BritainMeetstheWorld:17141830,an internationalpartnershipbetweentheBritishMuseumandthePalaceMuseuminBeijing.Inearly 2008,theFoundationpartneredwiththeSolomonR.GuggenheimMuseuminNewYorktopresent CaiGuoQiang:IWanttoBelieve,realizingthemuseumsfirsteversoloretrospectiveofa contemporaryChineseartist.TheexhibitionwilltraveltoBeijingtocoincidewiththeBeijing Olympicsinsummer2008,thentotheGuggenheimMuseumBilbaoinearly2009.Byjoininghands withrenownedChinesewriterPaiHsienyung,theFoundationisactiveintherevivalandpromotion ofKunOpera,anartformclassifiedbyUNESCOasoneoftheMasterpiecesoftheOraland IntangibleHeritageofHumanity.TouringperformancesoftheKunOperaclassic PeonyPavilionhas beenongoingthroughoutChinaandareplannedforoverseasinthecomingyears.Inthepromotionof Buddhistphilosophyandthearts,theFoundationcollaborateswiththeHonoluluAcademyofArtsin amultiyearprojectthataimstopreserve,documentandpresentthelivingVajrayanaBuddhistculture ofBhutan.Theexhibition,TheDragonsGift:TheSacredArtsofBhutan,willbegininearly2008 andtouruntil2009,embracingsuchdestinationsastheRubinMuseuminNewYorkandtheAsian ArtMuseuminSanFrancisco (February20May10,2009).Theprojectwillprovideconservation trainingforBhutanesemonks,createavideoarchiveforChamritualdance,anddevelopadatabaseon Bhutaneseartsinmuseumcollectionsworldwide.TheFoundationhopestoinspireothereffortsto preserveandrevitalizetraditionalartsandculture.

ExhibitionOrganization ThisexhibitionwasorganizedbytheAsianArtMuseumincollaborationwiththePalaceMuseum,theNanjing MunicipalMuseum,andtheShanghaiMuseum.Power&Glory wasdevelopedbyagrantfromtheRobertH.N. HoFamilyFoundation.ThemuseumisgratefulforadditionalsupportprovidedbytheHenryLuceFoundation, theStarrFoundation,theBeiShanTangFoundation,SothebysMasterCard, andUnitedAirlines.Additional fundingisprovidedbytheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.Thisexhibitionissupportedbyanindemnity fromtheFederalCouncilontheArtsandtheHumanities.Mediasponsors:CBSOutdoor,KQEDPublic Broadcasting,NBC11,SanFrancisco Magazine,KTSF26,SingTaoDaily,AsianWeek,WorldJournal,and WhereMagazine.Officialhotel:HiltonSanFranciscoFinancialDistrict.Theexhibitionwilltraveltothe IndianapolisMuseumofArt(October26January11,2009)and St.LouisArtMuseum(February22May17, 2009). ExhibitionTours Groupsof10ormoreenjoydiscountedadmissiontothemuseum,andcanreserveprivatetoursofthe exhibitionwiththemuseumsknowledgeabledocentsforafee.Power&Gloryprivatetoursareavailable inEnglish, CantoneseandMandarin.ToursareavailableJuly1throughSeptember21,2008,withthe exceptionofthefirstSundayofeachmonth.Reservationsmustbemadeatleastonemonthinadvance: (415)5813624,orgroupvisits@asianart.org. Publication: Power&Glory:CourtArtsof ChinasMingDynasty,publishedby theAsianArtMuseum,andeditedby HeLi andMichaelKnightincludesessaysaboutMingdynastyartaswellasdetailedentriesforeachoftheobjectsin theexhibition.ThefullyillustratedcatalogisavailableattheAsianArtMuseumstore ($39.95 softcover, $59.95hardcover).4155813600orshop@asianart.org.

more

POWER& GLORY: COURTARTSOFCHINASMINGDYNASTY

PAGE7

MediaPreview AmediapreviewforPower&Glory:CourtArtsofChinasMingDynastywillbeheldonJune25,2008.Doors openat9:30am,remarksbegin at10:15am.FormoreinformationandtoRSVP,pleaseemailpr@asianart.org orcall(415)5813713. AbouttheAsianArtMuseum TheAsianArtMuseumisapublicinstitutionwhosemissionistoleadadiverseglobalaudienceindiscovering theuniquematerial,aesthetic,andintellectualachievementsofAsianartandculture.Holdingmorethan17,000 Asianarttreasuresspanning6,000yearsofhistory,themuseumisoneofthelargestmuseumsintheWestern worlddevotedexclusivelytoAsianart.OncelocatedinSanFranciscosGoldenGatePark,themuseumnow residesatitsnew,expandedfacilityatCivicCenterPlaza.Anarchitecturalgemfeaturingadynamicblendof beauxartsandmoderndesignelements,themuseumsnewhomeistheresultofadramatictransformationof SanFranciscosformermainlibrarybuildingbyrenownedarchitectGaeAulenti(designerofParissMuse dOrsay)intoashowcaseforthemuseumsacclaimedcollectionandexhibitions. Information:(415)5813500orwww.asianart.org. Location:200LarkinStreet,SanFrancisco,CA94102. Hours:ThemuseumisopenTuesdaythroughSundayfrom10:00amto5:00pm,withextendedhours until9:00pmeveryThursday. Admission:$12foradults,$8forseniors,$7foryouth1317,andfreeforchildrenunder12.Thursday eveningsafter5pmadmissionisjust$5forallvisitorsexceptthoseunder12andmembers,whoare alwaysfree.Target FirstFreeSundays:ThemuseumoffersFREEadmissiontoallonthe first Sunday ofeverymonth,courtesyofTarget. Access:TheAsianArtMuseumiswheelchairaccessible.Formoreinformationregardingaccess, pleasecall(415)5813598TDD:(415)8612035.

###