The nearly five-month-long special exhibition celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, spotlighting a period of significant cultural and artistic exchange between the two nations
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) is delighted to present the new special exhibition “The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles: China-France Cultural Encounters in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries” (“The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles”) between 18 December 2024 and 4 May 2025. Co-organised by the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Palace Museum, and the Palace of Versailles, the exhibition presents nearly 150 treasures from the Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles, highlighting the rich history of mutual respect, inspiration, and exchanges in the realms of culture, arts, science, and more between the Forbidden City and Versailles — two distinguished World Heritage Sites — during the latter half of the 17th century and throughout the 18th century. This remarkable collection of artefacts showcases their enduring friendship and a long legacy of admiration. Cathay is the Lead Sponsor of this exhibition, and Centurion from American Express is the Major Sponsor.
The 17th and 18th centuries are historically regarded as the glory days for both Chinese and French courts. During the Kangxi (1662–1722), Yongzheng (1723–1735), and Qianlong (1736–1795) periods, the Qing dynasty experienced extraordinary economic and cultural prosperity, which opened new avenues for foreign trade. Simultaneously, Louis XIV’s reign (1643–1715) elevated the French Bourbon dynasty to unprecedented heights during this great period. Despite the vast geographical distance between the two imperial palaces and the fact that the rulers of the two nations never met, the royal courts held immense curiosity for one another. The French court had a deep interest in Chinese culture and art. Louis XIV championed the trend of Chinese blue and white porcelain, which was popular in Europe at the time, and even constructed a “Porcelain Palace” in the garden of the Palace of Versailles. Marie Leszczyńska, the queen of Louis XV (r. 1715-1774), was fond of Chinese art and transformed her private suite into the “Chinese Chamber”. Louis XVI (r. 1774-1792) and his queen, Marie Antoinette, also shared a passion for China. Notably, Louis XVI commissioned a porcelain plaque of the Qianlong emperor's portrait from the Sèvres Manufactory to display in his study room at Versailles. Furthermore, an influx of Chinese crafts and literature into the French court and the collections of nobles gave rise to a taste for China, a new artistic style inspired by the French taste for Chinese items that centred around the Palace of Versailles and later captivated Europe. Since Louis XIV dispatched six Jesuit missionaries as “King’s Mathematicians” to China, many French Jesuits served in the Qing court for extended periods. Their presence significantly influenced the Qing court in areas such as science, art, architecture, medicine, and cartography. The Sino-French exchanges stand as an astonishing testament to the profound mutual respect and appreciation that characterise the relationship shared by these two nations.
Nearly 150 extraordinary objects and masterpieces including 9 first-grade national treasures from China, and the finest collections of the Palace of Versailles, with an immersive multimedia display recreating Louis XIV's handwritten letter to the Kangxi emperor
The exhibition, divided into four sections, will delve into key figures, spaces, and cultural dynamics, scientific and diplomatic exchanges, craftsmanship and innovation, and the exchange of arts and ideas between the Forbidden City and Versailles — two distinguished World Heritage Sites. It showcases nearly 150 treasures from the Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles, marking the first time artefacts from the two palaces are showcased together in Hong Kong. Among the exhibits are nine first-grade national treasures from the Palace Museum, invaluable collections and new acquisitions from the Palace of Versailles in France, and loans from local museums including the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library.
The exhibition presents an array of artefacts from the two museums, spanning from large imperial portraits and exquisite crafts such as porcelain, glass, enamel, and textiles to books, scientific instruments, medical products, highlighting the little-known stories of the two courts. One of the highlighted objects is the Chrysanthemum Pot (1783) from the Palace Museum. Initially believed to be an enamelware of Qianlong’s court made in Guangdong due to its distinctly Chinese design, a recent examination revealed a signature “coteau” on the bottom of the pot, indicating that it was crafted by the renowned French enameller. This discovery uncovers an intriguing chapter in the exchange of artistic craftsmanship between China and France.
Another notable exhibit is the Silver Jug (about 1680), recently acquired by the Palace of Versailles. This exquisite piece, crafted in Guangdong, China, for the overseas market, was presented as a gift to Louis XIV by a Siamese (now Thailand) envoy. The silver jug holds tremendous value as a well-preserved example of gold and silver craftsmanship from that period. Such precious objects illustrate that China and France not only imported and collected each other's treasures, but their artisans also engaged in mutual learning and aesthetic exchange for over 300 years. This cross-cultural dialogue sparked new ideas, fostered innovative artistic forms, and advanced the development of craftsmanship in both nations.
In addition, the exhibition features a multimedia installation that vividly recreates a handwritten letter from Louis XIV to the Kangxi emperor in 1688. Written in Old French, the letter praises the Kangxi emperor and expresses Louis XIV's desire to send Jesuit missionaries and introduce him to advancements in astronomy. At the end of the letter, it is signed affectionately – “Your most Dear, and Good Friend, Louis.” Although the letter never reached the Kangxi emperor, the Jesuit missionaries dispatched by Louis XIV had arrived in China, at that time, which signifies the official beginning of many subsequent exchanges between the courts of China and France.
In the final section of the exhibition, visitors will encounter a dedicated learning space featuring interactive and self-learning activities. Here, they will be invited to explore art influenced by the Sino-French exchange of the 17th and 18th centuries, uncovering narratives of cultural interchange, mutual enlightenment, and innovation between the two courts. Complementing these experiences are a range of educational offerings such as public lectures, interactive theatre activities, workshops, and guided docent tours. Details of the activities will be provided in due course. Additionally, the Museum is planning to host a scholarly workshop in the second quarter of next year, where experts will delve into the latest research surrounding the Sino-French cultural exchange of that era.
“The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles” will be open to the public from 18 December 2024 to 4 May 2025 in Gallery 9 of the HKPM. Tickets for this special exhibition are priced at HK$150 for adults and HK$75 for concessions*. Holders of Full Access Ticket, priced at HK$180 for adults and HK$90 for concessions*, can access this exhibition, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Presents: “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” in Gallery 8 as well as other thematic exhibitions (Galleries 1 to 7) on the same day. Tickets are available for sale or reservation through the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms and ticketing partners. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
*Concessions are available to children aged 7 to 11, full-time students, seniors aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (with one companion), and CSSA recipients.
Remarks
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to become a leading institution on the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture while advancing dialogue between world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum and 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 combines a Hong Kong perspective with a global vision to present precious artefacts from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum aims to build international partnerships and position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum strives to inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the Palace Museum
Established in 1925, The Palace Museum is a broadly representative national museum. It is housed on the grounds of the palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties known as the Forbidden City and its collection is based on Ming and Qing imperial collections. In 1961, the State Council named it a Nationally Protected Key Cultural Heritage Site, and in 1987 it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Palace Museum became a national 5A tourist attraction in 2007. The following year, it was among the first Chinese museums recognized by the National Cultural Heritage Administration as a first-grade museum. Covering over one million square metres, the architectural compound under The Palace Museum’s administration consists of around 9,000 bays (internal spaces defined by columns) of Ming and Qing era structures, making it the world’s largest and best-preserved historical palatial complex.
Today, The Palace Museum is an unparalleled art treasure house with a vast collection of over 1.86 million pieces in twenty-five major categories. It showcases the time-honoured and splendid Chinese civilisation to the public through its imperial palace architecture; the display of original interior settings to illustrate the history of the imperial court; galleries dedicated to decorative arts, timepieces, paintings, calligraphic works, ceramics, and sculptures; and thematic exhibitions.
About the Palace of Versailles
A jewel of world heritage recognized by UNESCO since 1979, the palace of Versailles is at once a royal residence, a museum of French history established by Louis-Philippe, the King of the French, and a seat of government where the two chambers of Parliament meet when united in Congress.
In addition to its three historic dwellings – the Palace itself, the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon – the Estate of Versailles gives pride of place to nature with a sweeping baroque garden adorned with groves and fountains designed by André Le Nôtre, a French landscape architect, as well as the Trianon Gardens, the Queen’s Hamlet – a royal refuge created by Marie-Antoinette, the queen of France – a wooded park surrounding the Grand Canal and, since 2009, the Estate of Marly.
Visitors come to Versailles from around the world to admire collections of artwork featuring more than 70,000 paintings, furniture pieces, sculptures, objets d’art, rare books, sketches, engravings and carriages. A veritable compendium of French history from the 17th century to the current day, the former royal residence exemplifies French elegance and art de vivre, alongside consummate savoir-faire.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, WestK will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.
https://www.westk.hk/
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