Hong Kong Palace Museum | HKPM Special Exhibition Talk Series | Encountering France in the Forbidden City: Examples of Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Sino-French Court Cultural Exchange in the Palace Museum Collection

During the period of extensive cultural contact and exchange between China and the West in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Chinese court was not isolated from the world, but deeply integrated into it. Foreign relations and cultural interactions became central to court operations during this time. A vast array of material products from foreign civilisations entered the court's purview and was incorporated into its collections, bearing witness to China’s ongoing global connections and influence. The Forbidden City became a stage for the global exchange and fusion of art, science, and craftsmanship. Diverse cultures influenced and enriched one another here, continuing traditions while embracing new knowledge. The fruitful outcomes of this process are evident in the numerous objects in the court’s collection, now held by the Palace Museum.

Looking back at the history of courtly interactions between China and France in the 17th and 18th centuries, it becomes evident that Western science and art were not only practical necessities for the Qing court but also fashionable trends. This dynamic created a distinctive French presence within the Chinese court, becoming an essential feature aspect of Asian-Western cultural exchanges during the Qing dynasty. These influences took root and flourished in traditional Chinese culture, blending with native creativity and becoming deeply embedded in historical memory. The objects from the Palace Museum’s collection featured in this exhibition illuminate this fascinating century-long period into focus, guiding us into exploring the historical connections between the Chinese and French courts.

This talk accompanies the special exhibition “The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles: China-France Cultural Encounters in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries” on view in Gallery 9 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum from 18 December 2024 to 4 May 2025. The exhibition is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Palace Museum, and the Palace of Versailles. The exhibits mainly come from the Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles. The Hong Kong Maritime Museum and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library have also provided a number of loans. The exhibition is financially supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region). Cathay is the Lead Sponsor, and Tigillus Foundation and Centurion from American Express are the Major Sponsors of this special exhibition.

* The exhibition catalogue (bilingual edition in English and Traditional Chinese) will be available for sale in mid-December at the Museum’s gift shop ART EXPRESS by The Commercial Press (G/F). On the event day, a special discount will be available exclusively at the sales counter outside the Auditorium (In case of dispute, the decision of the organisers shall be final).

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The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

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