Join us in the Auditorium for free, engaging lectures related to the featured exhibition Power and Glory.
Study Day: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty
Saturday, March 21
9:30 am–3:30 pm
Free
To reserve a catered box lunch, please call 314.655.5212
The Ming dynasty (1368–1644) is renowned for its highly refined aesthetic and exacting standards of perfection. The Museum's featured exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is the first exhibition to focus on the full range of Ming dynasty court arts including porcelain, painting, gold, jade, lacquer, and more. To complement the exhibition, the Museum will present a full day of fascinating lectures presented by some of the foremost scholars of Chinese history and art.
Study day sessions: Introduction with Philip Hu, Associate Curator of Asian Art; The Rule and Influence of Ming China with Marsha Haufler, Professor of Art History, University of Kansas; The Presence of History in Ming Painting with Richard Vinograd, Professor of Art & Art History, Stanford University; Imperial Manufacturing and Ceremonial Ceramics with Rosemary Scott, International Academic Director, Christie's, London; Adding Flowers on Brocade: Textiles and the Ming Dynasty with Terese Tse Bartholomew, Curator Emeritus, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.
Gallery TalksJoin us in the Main Exhibition Galleries for lively and informative discussions about Power and Glory. Gallery Talks for the featured exhibition will be limited to 20 attendees; please arrive early.
Power & Glory: The Ming Dynasty
March 5, 11:00 am; March 6, 6:00 pm
Philip Hu, Associate Curator of Asian Art
Painting at the Ming Dynasty Court
March 19, 11:00 am; March 20, 6:00 pm
Steven Owyoung, Art Historian
Buddhism in the Ming Dynasty April 2, 11:00 am; April 3, 6:00 pm Robert Hegel, Professor of Chinese and Liselotte Dieckmann Professor of Comparative Literature, Washington University in St. Louis
Power & Glory: The Ming Dynasty May 14, 11:00 am; May 15, 6:00 pm Philip Hu, Associate Curator of Asian Art
This Gallery Talk will take place in the Museum Auditorium
Performances
Art After 5: Traditional Guzheng performed by Xiaoyu Yan
Friday, March 27
7:00–8:30 pm
Grigg Gallery
Free
The guzheng is a traditional Chinese instrument that belongs to the zither family of musical instruments. Xiaoyu Yan, who was born in Shanghai and then immigrated to St. Louis with her family, began studying the guzheng at the age of four. She gave her first performance at the Saint Louis Art Museum in 2003 at the age of 14. Now a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Xiaoyu returns to the Museum to demonstrate the beauty of this ancient instrument.
Adult and Family ClassesIndulge your love of art and learning at the Saint Louis Art Museum this fall. Unique enrichment classes allow adults to focus on the latest exhibitions and the Museum's amazing collection of art from around the world. The Museum is also a wonderful place for children and adults to explore and make art together. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary. To register, please call 314.655.5298.
Adult Seminar:
History, Culture, and Art of the Ming Dynasty
Thursdays, April 2–30 (4 Sessions)
Note: No class on April 9
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Class size is limited to 20 participants (class is full)
The Ming dynasty ruled China for nearly three hundred years. During this period Chinese culture thrived, producing an amazing array of fine artworks in a wide variety of styles and media. This class will invite participants to take a closer look at the historical, religious, and cultural contexts that contributed to the production of such enduring works of art. Visits to the exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty will allow participants to connect concepts with art on display.
Weekend Workshop:
Chinese Brush Painting: The Four Seasons
April 4, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
April 5, 12:00–4:00 pm
Class size is limited to 20 participants
$80 ($50 Members)
(class is full)
Join us for this introduction to the classical art of Chinese brush painting. Students will learn how to handle a brush, paper, and ink to create traditional images. The class will include a visit to the exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty. No experience is necessary and all materials are provided.
Instructor: DongFeng Li, Painter and Assistant Professor of Art, Morehead State University, Lexington, Kentucky
Bus Tour:
A Day of Chinese Culture
Saint Louis Art Museum and Missouri Botanical Garden
Saturday, April 18
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Tour size is limited to 25 participants
$80 ($60 Members)
Join us for an extraordinary day of Chinese culture. The day begins with a tour from the Associate Curator of Asian Art at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Philip Hu, of the exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty. The group will then travel by bust to a local Chinese restaurant for lunch before proceeding to the Missouri Botanical Garden for a special tour of The Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Art Museum Members enjoy the same member discount. Lunch is included.
Family Weekend:
March 28 and March 29
12:00–4:00 pm
Your family is invited by the Emperor and Empress of the Forbidden City to a two-day festival celebrating the glory of the Ming dynasty. Each day will feature classical Chinese music and dance, artist demonstrations, storytellers, art projects, treats, and tours.
Family Workshops:January 10, Weather Watchers
January 24, Regal Portraits
February 7, Painting with Patterns
February 21, What's on Your Table?
April 4, Chinese Brush Painting
April 25, Inspired by Nature
10:30 am–12:00 pm (4–6 years old)
1:00–2:30 pm (7–10 years old)
$10 per person, per workshop ($8 Members)
Pre-register by calling 314.655.5298
Explore the Museum and all its treasures with your child. Each workshop combines a lively visit to the galleries with a unique, hands-on art project inspired by the Museum's masterpieces. Adults are encouraged to participate and create along with the children.
Preschool Workshops:
January 17, Painting with Vincent Van Gogh
January 31, Colorful Creatures
February 14, I Heart Art
February 28, Dress Like an Emperor or Empress
April 18, Chinese Scrolls
10:30–11:30 am (3–4 years old)
$10 per person, per workshop ($8 Members)
Pre-register by calling 314.655.5298
Introduce your little one to the joy of looking at and making art. Each of these one-hour family workshops combines a playful gallery visit with a hands-on activity developed especially for preschoolers. Adults are encouraged to participate and create along with the children.
Family Sundays:
Every Sunday during March
Majestic Ming
1:00–4:00 pm
Sculpture Hall
The Museum's featured exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty is open and ready to transport you back over 400 years to China's glorious past! Each Sunday in March, explore imperial art made from clay, gold, jade, lacquer, and thread and then make your own Ming masterpiece to take home to your palace.
EXCLUSIVE MEMBER EVENTS
Ming Members Opening and Celebration
Saturday, February 21
6:30–9:00 pm
Free for Members (Guests $15)
REGISTER HERE
All Members are invited to celebrate the opening of Power and Glory with a special Saturday evening preview party. Enjoy live music, a curator's lecture in the Museum Auditorium, light refreshments, and more!
Ming Member Nights
March 19, April 23, May 14
5:30–7:30 pm
Sculpture Hall and Main Exhibition Galleries
Power and Glory will be open on three Thursday nights for Members only.
The featured exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty will be open on three special evenings for Members only. Avoid the crowds and enjoy free docent tours and refreshments available for purchase.
Regular Membership admits two to any Ming Member Night. For Family-level Members and above, children in the household under 18 are also welcome. Reservations are not required, but please bring your membership card for admittance.
Young Friends Celebrate Power and Glory
Saturday, February 28
6:30–10:00 pm
$40 Young Friends Members
($50 non-Members)
Join the Young Friends for an exclusive viewing of Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty with Associate Curator of Asian Art Philip Hu and a private Chinese dinner in Puck's Restaurant with live entertainment, prizes, and more. For more information or to join the Young Friends, please call 314.655.5350 or email youngfriends@slam.org.
Ming Members Opening and Celebration
Saturday, February 21
6:30–9:00 pm
Free for Members (Guests $15)
REGISTER HERE
All Members are invited to celebrate the opening of Power and Glory with a special Saturday evening preview party. Enjoy live music, a curator's lecture in the Museum Auditorium, light refreshments, and more!
Ming Member Nights
March 19, April 23, May 14
5:30–7:30 pm
Sculpture Hall and Main Exhibition Galleries
Power and Glory will be open on three Thursday nights for Members only.
The featured exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty will be open on three special evenings for Members only. Avoid the crowds and enjoy free docent tours and refreshments available for purchase.
Regular Membership admits two to any Ming Member Night. For Family-level Members and above, children in the household under 18 are also welcome. Reservations are not required, but please bring your membership card for admittance.
Young Friends Celebrate Power and Glory
Saturday, February 28
6:30–10:00 pm
$40 Young Friends Members
($50 non-Members)
Join the Young Friends for an exclusive viewing of Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty with Associate Curator of Asian Art Philip Hu and a private Chinese dinner in Puck's Restaurant with live entertainment, prizes, and more. For more information or to join the Young Friends, please call 314.655.5350 or email youngfriends@slam.org.
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
Incense burner in the shape of a mythical beast; Wanli period (1573–1619); copper alloy with gold gilding and polychrome enamel inlays (cloisonné); 14 3/4 x 10 x 7 1/2 inches; Palace Museum, Beijing
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
(top to bottom)
Ornament depicting a lotus pond; green nephrite on a gold mount; 2 3/4 x 2 1/8 inches; Nanjing Municipal MuseumTwo 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
Incense burner in the shape of a mythical beast; Wanli period (1573–1619); copper alloy with gold gilding and polychrome enamel inlays (cloisonné); 14 3/4 x 10 x 7 1/2 inches; Palace Museum, Beijing
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