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The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 – Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017

Champlevé Ewer with European Figures in Landscape, Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor, 清 乾隆 金胎內填兼畫琺瑯西洋母子圖執壺 1735–96, gold with enamel inlay, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum

Champlevé Ewer with European Figures in Landscape, Qing dynasty, reign of the Qianlong emperor, 清 乾隆 金胎內填兼畫琺瑯西洋母子圖執壺 1735–96, gold with enamel inlay, National Palace Museum, Taipei. Image © National Palace Museum

Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei brings to Houston masterpieces that highlight the artistic and cultural contributions of imperial rulers in China, from the Song dynasty to the Qing dynasty. More than 160 works of art from the National Palace Museum offer a unique selection of paintings, bronzes, calligraphy, and decorative arts, including porcelain, textiles, enamels, and jade.

The exhibition presents examples of the finest craftsmanship and imperial taste, exploring the roles that eight emperors and one empress—who ruled between the early-12th-century Song dynasty and the early-20th-century Qing dynasty—had in the establishment and development of new artistic directions through the masterpieces they collected, commissioned, and in some cases created. Emperors' Treasures outlines how Chinese art came to evolve and flourish under Han Chinese, Mongol, and Manchu rulers.

These remarkable objects have rarely been displayed outside of Taipei. Selections include an 11th-century white pottery vase that is a supreme example of the art of the Chinese potter; landscape paintings by court artists of the 12th century; a calligraphy by the Emperor Huizong in his distinctive style; a “chicken cup” produced in the mid-Ming period, for centuries the most sought after of all porcelain wares because of its superb quality; fine silk tapestries little known outside of China; and the Qianlong emperor's box of small treasures.

Photography is not permitted in this exhibition.

Related Links

Learn more here.

HOURS & ADMISSION

  • Wednesday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Thursday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Friday - Saturday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Sunday , 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    • Monday (Except selected holidays) | Closed.
    • Tuesday | Closed.
    • Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day | Closed.
  • Museum Admission

    ALL ACCESS tickets provide entry to Special Exhibitions and the MFAH Permanent Collections. Purchase online or drop by any admissions desk.
    • MFAH Member  FREE
    • ALL ACCESS (Adult 19+)  $24
    • ALL ACCESS (Senior 65+ with ID)  $20
    • ALL ACCESS (Youth 13–18)  $20
    • ALL ACCESS (Child 12 & Under)  FREE
    • *Thursday MFAH Permanent Collections (All Ages)  FREE
    • *Thursday ALL ACCESS (13 & Up)  $10
    On Thursday, admission to the MFAH Permanent Collections is free for all individuals, courtesy of Shell USA, Inc. Special Exhibitions require a separate, discounted ALL ACCESS ticket.

Directions & Parking

  • Audrey Jones Beck Building 5601 Main Street Houston, TX 77005

Special Offers / Dining

Paolo Fronza, from Fellini Caffè, runs this sophisticated dining operation. Enjoy an array of Italian-inspired fare with a Texas flair, a European-style coffee bar, a kids menu, and much more at the MFA Café, located on the lower level of the Beck Building.

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