Encountering the Majestic: Portraits of Qing Emperors and Empresses

EVENT DESCRIPTION

At the imperial painting academy of the Qing dynasty, a special category of imperial portraits was commissioned specifically for the purpose of ancestor worship. These portraits record the likeness, temperament, and exalted status of imperial figures. Their overall style is formal, dignified, and at the same time, extravagantly majestic. This exhibition brings together eight ancestor portraits and accompanying sketches of Qing emperors and empresses. Through a close examination of these works, the exhibition reveals the development of the portraits through the Qing dynasty, the meanings and symbolism they embody, their function in ancestral rites, and how recent conservation work conducted by the Palace Museum is preserving them for future generations.

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to become one of the world’s leading cultural institutions committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture, while advancing dialogue among world civilisations through international partnerships. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum, which is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023-2031.

Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum will offer a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through innovative research and travelling exhibitions, as well as educational, cultural, and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a hub for art and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. As a world-class institution, the Museum is, at heart, a cultural resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong. And as a dynamic platform, it will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue and partnerships, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.