Emperors' Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei
Jun 17, 2016 – Sep 18, 2016
Lee Gallery
Behold a treasure trove of emperors’ prized possessions, including artworks they themselves created.
Passed from dynasty to dynasty and once sheltered in Beijing’s Forbidden City, these masterpieces of Chinese art were conveyed to Taiwan amid conflict and now reside in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.
Discover more than 150 objects from one of the world’s greatest collections of Chinese art, more than half of which will be on view in the U.S. for the first time. Rarely seen outside the court at the time of their creation, these artworks inherited an aura of mystery that has fueled an enduring fascination. Characterized by their extraordinary splendor, beauty and richness, these objects represent the highlights of China’s artistic accomplishments.
Through exquisite paintings, ceramics, jades and more, Emperors’ Treasures explores the identities of nine rulers who reigned from the 12th through 20th centuries. By examining each ruler’s contribution to the arts and the eras’ changing styles, this exhibition reveals how emperors’ personal tastes shaped the evolution of art in China.
Exhibition Highlights
With more than 150 fascinating artworks on view, Emperors’ Treasures could easily absorb your whole day with its captivating offerings. Don’t have all day? The exhibition’s curators have identified a not-to- be-missed selection of the show’s prized pieces. If you’re pressed for time, check out these objects and you can put your fears of missing out to rest!
Priceless Pork Belly
Don’t miss the U.S. debut of “Meat-shaped stone,” the world-famous Chinese sculpture resembling braised pork belly. This priceless pork belly is one of the rare Chinese imperial artworks featured in Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, on view at the Asian Art Museum from June 17 – September 18, 2016.
Learn how you can see, eat, make, and hear it.
Discovering Dynasties and the Rulers Who Shaped Them
The exhibition Emperors’ Treasures offers insights into Chinese life, culture and history during four imperial dynasties that span more than 800 years. To get you started, here’s a glimpse into each dynasty’s influence on arts and culture, as well as the lives of eight emperors and one empress who individually influenced Chinese artistic tastes. From a Mongol conqueror to a decadent empress dowager, their personalities are as distinct as their times.
Visit Emperors’ Treasures to immerse yourself in this rich history and the singular works of art it produced.
Exploring Taiwan
Join ABC7’s Kristen Sze as she explores objects from one of the world’s greatest collections of Chinese art and Taiwan.
These masterpieces will be on display in Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, on view at the Asian Art Museum from June 17 through September 18, 2016 . You’ll not only learn more about these magnificent works of art, but you’ll also experience Taiwan today. Home to breathtaking landscapes, diverse Asian cuisine, rich culture, and so much more.
“In an art-museum context the word ‘experience,’ with its overtones of infotainment or Disney, can send chills up your spine. And certainly, there’s more than enough of that sort of experience at the moment. But when executed well—and it is being done superbly well right now at the Asian Art Museum—the result can be a multifaceted exhibition that enriches our understanding of the subject and renders it accessible without dumbing it down.”
— Eric Gibson, The Wall Street Journal
More Emperors’ Treasures Press
“A feast for the eyes.” —The New York Times
“…there is no shortage of exquisite objects in Emperors’ Treasures.” —The Wall Street Journal
“…an opportunity not to be missed.” —The Wall Street Journal
“This unique exhibition stuns at every turn.” —Asian Art Newspaper
“Go simply to enjoy the beauty, workmanship, rarity and value of these works.” —San Jose Mercury News
“The Asian, located right in Civic Center, always has very interesting beautiful exhibits, the current one [Emperor’s Treasures] is especially worth visiting. With exquisite jade work, extremely fine metal work decorating wood and pottery pieces, paintings and beautiful calligraphy on display in four galleries, it’s one of the best exhibits I’ve seen there in years.” — @EdK
“At the Asian Art Museum’s Emperors’ Treasures exhibit. So much cool stuff to see, and a range of pieces that span nearly 1000 years!” —@danfreedman
Everyone’s lining up to see #EmperorsTreasures @asianartmuseum” —@sarah_i_think
“As a child I was obsessed with the movie ‘The Last Emperor’ the current exhibit @asianartmuseum is treasures of the Emperor and it is amazing!!!! I highly suggest going to SF to see it!!!” —@ogsparklelove
“If you enjoy museums and Asian art, go to this museum. It has a good collection, and until Sept 18th you have a unique chance to marvel at the fantastic pieces in Emperors’ Treasures, beautifully displayed in four rooms.” —@CarlosT
“Breathtaking and beautifully curated.” —@Chantal42
“Meat-shaped stone”
“In our foodie-friendly age, where shots of delicious meals rival art selfies for Instagram supremacy, the stone is now primed to become a hit in America on its first journey stateside. It even has a hashtag: #PricelessPorkBelly.” —ArtNet News
“The food is as good as the art.” —San Francisco Travel Association
“A feeding frenzy.” —7×7
“Eat your weight in pork belly.” —Thrillist’s “Every Fun Thing You Absolutely Must Do This Summer”
“The Chinese were way ahead of the #bacon / #porkbelly obsession. Behold, the meat stone at SF’s @asianartmuseum” —@kateleahy
“Visiting the Asian Art Museum is always a treat, particularly with the #pricelessporkbelly on display in the exhibit and in the museum’s cafe.” —@journeyazeri5
“Is it weird that I drooled just so slightly when I saw this poster for a pork belly sculpture featured at the SF Asian Art Museum? I think I already know the answer to that question.” —@ah_yu_in_cali
“Got to see the #pricelessporkbelly up close and personal and was left in awe. #noregrets” —@fangeats
“My mom says life imitates art, or something like that. #pricelessporkbelly” —@eva.leanne
What People are Saying
“In an art-museum context the word ‘experience,’ with its overtones of infotainment or Disney, can send chills up your spine. And certainly, there’s more than enough of that sort of experience at the moment. But when executed well—and it is being done superbly well right now at the Asian Art Museum—the result can be a multifaceted exhibition that enriches our understanding of the subject and renders it accessible without dumbing it down.”
— Eric Gibson, The Wall Street Journal
More Emperors’ Treasures Press
“A feast for the eyes.” —The New York Times
“…there is no shortage of exquisite objects in Emperors’ Treasures.” —The Wall Street Journal
“…an opportunity not to be missed.” —The Wall Street Journal
“This unique exhibition stuns at every turn.” —Asian Art Newspaper
“Go simply to enjoy the beauty, workmanship, rarity and value of these works.” —San Jose Mercury News
“The Asian, located right in Civic Center, always has very interesting beautiful exhibits, the current one [Emperor’s Treasures] is especially worth visiting. With exquisite jade work, extremely fine metal work decorating wood and pottery pieces, paintings and beautiful calligraphy on display in four galleries, it’s one of the best exhibits I’ve seen there in years.” — @EdK
“At the Asian Art Museum’s Emperors’ Treasures exhibit. So much cool stuff to see, and a range of pieces that span nearly 1000 years!” —@danfreedman
Everyone’s lining up to see #EmperorsTreasures @asianartmuseum” —@sarah_i_think
“As a child I was obsessed with the movie ‘The Last Emperor’ the current exhibit @asianartmuseum is treasures of the Emperor and it is amazing!!!! I highly suggest going to SF to see it!!!” —@ogsparklelove
“If you enjoy museums and Asian art, go to this museum. It has a good collection, and until Sept 18th you have a unique chance to marvel at the fantastic pieces in Emperors’ Treasures, beautifully displayed in four rooms.” —@CarlosT
“Breathtaking and beautifully curated.” —@Chantal42
“Meat-shaped stone”
“In our foodie-friendly age, where shots of delicious meals rival art selfies for Instagram supremacy, the stone is now primed to become a hit in America on its first journey stateside. It even has a hashtag: #PricelessPorkBelly.” —ArtNet News
“The food is as good as the art.” —San Francisco Travel Association
“A feeding frenzy.” —7×7
“Eat your weight in pork belly.” —Thrillist’s “Every Fun Thing You Absolutely Must Do This Summer”
“The Chinese were way ahead of the #bacon / #porkbelly obsession. Behold, the meat stone at SF’s @asianartmuseum” —@kateleahy
“Visiting the Asian Art Museum is always a treat, particularly with the #pricelessporkbelly on display in the exhibit and in the museum’s cafe.” —@journeyazeri5
“Is it weird that I drooled just so slightly when I saw this poster for a pork belly sculpture featured at the SF Asian Art Museum? I think I already know the answer to that question.” —@ah_yu_in_cali
“Got to see the #pricelessporkbelly up close and personal and was left in awe. #noregrets” —@fangeats
“My mom says life imitates art, or something like that. #pricelessporkbelly” —@eva.leanne
Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei is co-organized by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and the National Palace Museum, Taipei.
Presentation is made possible with the generous support of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, Doris Shoong Lee and Theodore Bo Lee, Robert and Vivian Tsao, Diane B. Wilsey, The Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Fund for Excellence in Exhibitions and Presentations, East West Bank, United, Alphawood Foundation, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, BizLink Technology, Inc., Jamie and Steve Chen, Lee Chen, Christie’s, C.M. Capital Corporation, Fred Eychaner, Winnie and Michael Feng, Doug Tilden and Teresa Keller Tilden, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, The American Friends of the Shanghai Museum, Julia K. Cheng, Cheng & Tsui Company, Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation, H. Christopher Luce and Tina Liu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C., and anonymous donors. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Art and the Humanities, and in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Media Sponsors: ABC7, KQED, Sing Tao Daily, World Journal, Sina.
Location
First Floor Special Exhibition Galleries
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