Encounter the Colorful Ming Dynasty in 1573--Special Exhibition of Cultural Objects from Wanli Reign

On April 27, Encounter the Colorful Ming Dynasty in 1573--Special Exhibition of Cultural Objects from Wanli Reign, co-organized by AEC, the National Library (National Museum of Classic Books), the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Heritage, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government of Changping District and Beijing United Creation International Exhibition Corporation was opened at the National Museum of Classic Books. The exhibition is officially opened to the public on April 28 .

The exhibition is divided into three sections: “Eternal Rituals”, “The World in Things” and “A Global Perspective”, which showcase the imperial etiquette and daily life, overseas trade and cultural exchanges of the Ming Dynasty against the backdrop of the forty-eighth year of the Reign of Emperor Wanli. It provides a chance for the audience to enjoy the exquisite cultural objects and have an in-depth understanding of the socio-economic and cultural life at that time. The audience can have a first hand experience of the brilliant culture and the high aesthetic level of the Ming Dynasty.

The exhibition brings together a total of 137 exhibits from several cultural institutions and museums, including the Ming Tombs Management Center, the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, the Archaeological Research Center of the National Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Beijing Art Museum, and the Luzhou Laojiao Museum. The exhibits include gold and silver wares, jade wares, bamboo and wood wares, embroidery, paintings and calligraphy works, porcelain, etc., showing the high level of development of culture, art and craftsmanship and the social customs of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty.

Sun Xiaobing, deputy director of AEC, Zhang Zhiqing, executive vice director of the National Library, and Wu Yicong, chairman of Beijing United Creation International Exhibition Corporation presented at the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

In his address, Sun Xiaobing said that the political turmoil of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty and the diversified development of the economy and society formed a contrast and tension. This contradictory force witnessed both the historical rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty and the process of mutual communication and exchange between China and the world in its process of modernization. This exhibition tells the evolution of the history of the Ming Dynasty and outlines the diversify social landscape of the Wanli period. We hope that visitors will be guided by the exquisite exhibits into the Wanli period and enjoy the profound culture of the great Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Zhiqing pointed out that this exhibition presents a large number of precious cultural objects of the Ming Dynasty, echoing with the classic books from the Ming Dynasty displayed in the first and second exhibition halls of the National Museum of Classic Books. The joint presentation of classical documents and unearthed cultural objects shows the elegance of the imperial rituals, the flourishing development of literature and art, the prosperity of the commercial economy and the characteristics of various social classes in the Ming Dynasty.

Wu Yicong introduced that in this exhibition, visitors can see various cultural objects such as ceremonial crowns, vessels, porcelain, paintings and calligraphy of the Wanli period, learn about the daily life and etiquette of the imperial family, and further experience the length and significance of the long history, the cultural diversity and the unique charm of Chinese culture.

The exhibition also brings the audience a series of fun and knowledge-filled activities and a variety of cultural and creative derivatives with the aim to bring cultural relics “to live” through multi-dimensional, multi-angle, multi-level enrichment of the audience’s viewing experience and multiple measures.

The exhibition will be on display until August 29, 2023.