Hong Kong Palace Museum | The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles: China-France Cultural Encounters in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries

9000. Exhibition introduction

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Forbidden City in China and the Palace of Versailles in France each stood as the centre of its country’s political, cultural, and artistic life. Despite –or perhaps because of – the vast geographic distance between them, the courts in Beijing and Versailles were keenly curious about one another. Led by a series of enlightened rulers, China and France embarked on extensive and impactful exchanges.

This special exhibition presents nearly 150 spectacular treasures from the Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles, illuminating fascinating encounters and exchanges between China and France in science, craft, arts, culture, and philosophy. The objects on display tell stories of the special bonds forged between China and France through mutual admiration and respect, which provided new incentives to expand skills and knowledge and create new art forms.

9001. Louis XIV in Coronation Robe

In this portrait, Louis XIV wears a coronation mantle adorned with the royal emblem of gold fleurs-de-lis, a stylised symbol of the lily found on France’s traditional coat of arms, set against a dark blue background. He holds the coronation sword and an upside-down sceptre topped by the same floral symbol. On the cushion are the royal crown and the Hand of Justice sceptre, both signifying his judicial authority.

State portraits emphasise wealth and power. This painting’s regal ambiance, communicated by the monarch’s confident stance and its rich colours, luxurious fabrics, and intricate details, conveys his supreme authority.

9002. The Qianlong Emperor in Court Attire

The Qianlong Emperor was both an accomplished military leader and a passionate art collector, much like his grandfather the Kangxi Emperor. Energetic, curious, and open-minded, the Qianlong Emperor greatly admired European painting, architecture, and timepieces. Under his reign, the Qing dynasty reached its peak, frequently engaging with France through Jesuit missionaries and merchants who came to China. However, the French Revolution and the death of the Qianlong Emperor put an end to these vibrant interactions.

Chinese imperial portraits typically show the emperors in a formal, frontal posture on a throne. In this painting, the Qianlong Emperor wears court attire, which is the most formal ceremonial attire worn at the Qing imperial court. Notice the twelve imperial emblems on the pledged lower part. According to the dress code of the Qianlong period, only the emperor could wear the twelve imperial emblems, which indicate his supreme position and virtue.

9003. Pascaline calculator

Picture yourself in the study room of the Kangxi Emperor, where a fascinating array of mathematical tools is displayed. Among these items, you will find a calculator made by the Qing court based on the pioneering work of French mathematician Blaise Pascal.

This Western-style calculator has been adapted for Chinese users; notice the Chinese numerals engraved on top. This unique combination illustrates the blending of Chinese and European scientific advancements during the Kangxi Emperor’s reign. With a deep interest in Western science and mathematics, the Kangxi Emperor welcomed Jesuits into the Forbidden City, not just as missionaries but as scholars and teachers. He was open and eager to learn from Europe.

Joachim Bouvet, one of the Jesuits dispatched by Louis XIV to China, wrote that the Kangxi Emperor “honoured us, the four Jesuit missionaries then in Beijing, by receiving our instructions ... He did not neglect to exert himself frequently in calculations and the use of mathematical instruments, as well as in continual repetitions of the chief propositions of Euclid, the better to imprint their demonstrations in his mind.” ⸺ Joachim Bouvet, The History of Cang-Hy, the Present Emperour of China Pesented to the Most Christian King. London: Printed for F. Coggan, 1699, p. 53.

9004. Perfume fountain

A masterful combination of Chinese and French craftsmanship, this work stands as a testament to the vital cultural exchange between China and France and is the only piece of Chinese porcelain that we can say for certain belonged to Louis XV. Come closer, and let’s explore its unique backstory.

This beautifully ornate perfume fountain starts with a vase made in a traditional Chinese pottery style. Famed for its crackled glaze, this style is known as Ge ware style. Having been produced by ceramic artisans in Jingdezhen, China, the vase was modified probably upon arrival to France. French artisans added a flowing, gilded copper base and embellishments to the lid that elegantly mimic the movement of water while featuring motifs like crayfish, typical of the Rococo style’s love of natural forms.

9005. Saddle blanket

In the Qing dynasty, equestrian archery was more than just a sport; it was an essential skill inherited from the nomadic ancestors of the Manchu rulers. The court’s dedication to creating high-quality horse gear, like this saddle blanket, reflects the importance of both functionality and aesthetics in their equestrian practices. Look closely, the embroidered fabric of the saddle blanket, possibly imported from Europe, was meticulously cut to maintain the symmetry of the pattern.

Also notice how the colours in the floral and fruit embroidery shade from dark to light. This effect is known as chiaroscuro. Originating in the Renaissance period but most notably associated with Baroque art, the technique uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a three-dimensional, painterly effect. The pattern is typical of a style known as European Naturalism, popular in the 1730s and 1740s.

9006. Illustrated Historical Summary of the Life of the Famous Chinese Philosopher Confucius

The cultural exchange between France and China in the 17th and 18th centuries was more than just goods changing hands. Missionaries also brought Chinese knowledge and philosophies back to Europe. The Illustrated Historical Summary of the Life of the Famous Chinese Philosopher Confucius, compiled by a French missionary and printed in French, reflects the growing interest in Confucianism at that time in Europe. Given the limited means of communication back then, the sheer effort put into translating Chinese classics shows great dedication to learning about Chinese history and thought.