Saint Louis Art Museum: Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty

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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; lacquerware; textiles; musical instruments; and woodblock printing. Many of the works have never been shown in the United States before.

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.

Two dragons presenting a heart-shaped amber

Two dragons presenting a heart-shaped amber

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.

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."

Covered jar with fish in a lotus pond

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.

POWER AND GLORY CATALOGUE

A 280-page catalogue published by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco accompanies the exhibition. Authored by Asian Art Museum curators He Li and Michael Knight, the illustrated catalogue includes essays by Terese Tse Bartholomew and Richard Vinograd, scholars of Chinese art.

The catalogue is available in the Saint Louis Art Museum Shop and through the online store.

Click Here to Learn More >>

ATTENDING THE EXHIBITION

Action Abstraction Catalogue

Admission for Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is $10; $8 for students and seniors; $6 children 6–12; and free for Members and children under 6. The exhibition is free to all every Friday. Timed entry tickets are required. All Museum Member and paid tickets include an audio tour; non-Members can purchase an audio tour for $3 on Fridays.

Group rates are also available. Please call 314.655.5298 for information and availability.

Advance tickets for Power and Glory are highly recommended and are available through MetroTix online at www.metrotix.com and by phone at 314.534.1111. Tickets are also available in person at the Museum. Tickets reserved through MetroTix, including free Friday tickets, will incur at $2.75 service fee per ticket; the service fee is waived for tickets purchased in person at the Museum.

Click Here to Learn More >>

EXHIBITION SPONSORS

The exhibition was developed by a grant from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, and the Starr Foundation.

Support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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.

PICTURED WORKS OF ART
(top to bottom)

Ornament depicting a lotus pond; green nephrite on a gold mount; 2 3/4 x 2 1/8 inches; Nanjing Municipal Museum

Two dragons presenting a heart-shaped amber, buried 1647–1658; from the tomb of Lady Chen, wife of Tong Bonian, in Dengfushan, outside the Zhonghua Gate, Nanjing; amber and ruby; gold with repoussé and filigree designs; 2 3/8 x 2 x 3/4 inches; Nanjing Municipal Museum

Covered jar with fish in a lotus pond; Jiajing period (1522–1566); Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province; porcelain with underglaze cobalt and overglaze polychrome decoration;
19 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches; Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage Collection B60P78+; Photograph by Kaz Tsuruta

One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1380

Telephone 314.721.0072

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	*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; lacquerware; textiles; musical instruments; and woodblock printing. Many of the works have never been shown in the United States before. 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. 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. POWER AND GLORY CATALOGUE A 280-page catalogue published by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco accompanies the exhibition. Authored by Asian Art Museum curators He Li and Michael Knight, the illustrated catalogue includes essays by Terese Tse Bartholomew and Richard Vinograd, scholars of Chinese art. The catalogue is available in the Saint Louis Art Museum Shop and through the online store. Click Here to Learn More >> ATTENDING THE EXHIBITION Admission for Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is $10; $8 for students and seniors; $6 children 6–12; and free for Members and children under 6. The exhibition is free to all every Friday. Timed entry tickets are required. All Museum Member and paid tickets include an audio tour; non-Members can purchase an audio tour for $3 on Fridays. Group rates are also available. Please call 314.655.5298 for information and availability. Advance tickets for Power and Glory are highly recommended and are available through MetroTix online at www.metrotix.com and by phone at 314.534.1111. Tickets are also available in person at the Museum. Tickets reserved through MetroTix, including free Friday tickets, will incur at $2.75 service fee per ticket; the service fee is waived for tickets purchased in person at the Museum. Click Here to Learn More >> EXHIBITION SPONSORS The exhibition was developed by a grant from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, and the Starr Foundation. Support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. 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. PICTURED WORKS OF ART (top to bottom) Ornament depicting a lotus pond; green nephrite on a gold mount; 2 3/4 x 2 1/8 inches; Nanjing Municipal Museum Two dragons presenting a heart-shaped amber, buried 1647–1658; from the tomb of Lady Chen, wife of Tong Bonian, in Dengfushan, outside the Zhonghua Gate, Nanjing; amber and ruby; gold with repoussé and filigree designs; 2 3/8 x 2 x 3/4 inches; Nanjing Municipal Museum Covered jar with fish in a lotus pond; Jiajing period (1522–1566); Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province; porcelain with underglaze cobalt and overglaze polychrome decoration; 19 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches; Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage Collection B60P78+; Photograph by Kaz Tsuruta

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