Jeffrey, Your gorgeous essay that says so much about the Qing court, the exquisite panels—and Voltaire— reminds me of the Jakuchū exhibit I had the honor to cover when working as a journalist. If you'll allow a link, here is that essay that I think pairs well with yours: https://innerlifecollaborative.substack.com/p/fleeting-cherry-blossoms-and-transformative
I had no idea, so this was incredibly fun and enlightening. It fired off my imagination, dreaming of a movie or series (or book!) where these two countries and their people meet in high court ~ the romance, admiration, and intrigue!
It is always fadcinating seeing how two historical cultures perceived each other, the things they understood, the things they misunderstood due to their own culture.
I found three of the four clocks on the screen - or do the two faces on the handheld clock count as two?
Your article tempts me to throw financial prudence to the winds and book a ticket to Hong Kong RIGHT NOW. And thanks very much for endorsing Versailles Century!
As your photo essay shows, so much that's wonderful can come through nations' cultural exchanges, and we are the better for them. I particularly like the Chinese rouge-red porcelain bowl, the beautiful writing table, and those two curiosities: the calculator and the porcelain Trianon. Your commentary is enlightening, too. What a fine exhibition that must have been!
Thank you, Maureen. It was very fine, an enriching experience and a reminder as you suggest of the power of cultural exchange. And that rouge-red bowl was simply exquisite!
I always love exhibitions that have a clear narrative, and this one looks simply divine - thanks for sharing pics and thoughts, Jeffrey! My favorite museum still is the DeYoung in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - they've produced some amazing exhibitions that I've really enjoyed - the Post-Impressionists from the (temporarily reassembled) collection of Leo and Gertrude Stein, the European Arts & Crafts movement, Dale Chihuly's glass art, and Vivienne Westwood's fashion among others.
Always impressed by the breadth of your interests and appreciation, Jeffrey. No doubt natural and cultivated before but surely deeply nurtured by your career?
A wonderful photographic essay, Jeffrey. I feel like I got to through the museum with you as my guide. Which, I must say, was a great experience. I also love the quote at the end :)
Gorgeous artifacts, gorgeous photos, and as usual, gorgeous writing!
About the Pascaline calculator: in addition to the engraved Chinese numerals around the circumference, there were Chinese characters for currency weight measurements (the 5 on the right) and decimal system (the 5 on the left) :)
Such an unlikely pairing of cultures... I thoroughly enjoyed this essay Jeffrey and the photos, the screens are beautiful and the exquisite rose coloured cup!
The two screens are beautiful! I found three clocks too (thanks for the additional puzzle/mystery component to your post). I wish that I made the time to visit the exhibition when it was here in HK.
Jeffrey, Your gorgeous essay that says so much about the Qing court, the exquisite panels—and Voltaire— reminds me of the Jakuchū exhibit I had the honor to cover when working as a journalist. If you'll allow a link, here is that essay that I think pairs well with yours: https://innerlifecollaborative.substack.com/p/fleeting-cherry-blossoms-and-transformative
xx ~Mary
Thank you Mary! I loved your essay on Jakuchū. Thank you for the link!
So glad!
I had no idea, so this was incredibly fun and enlightening. It fired off my imagination, dreaming of a movie or series (or book!) where these two countries and their people meet in high court ~ the romance, admiration, and intrigue!
Romance, admiration and intrigue - well said, Lani, there was all of that! It sounds like love, doesn't it?
It is always fadcinating seeing how two historical cultures perceived each other, the things they understood, the things they misunderstood due to their own culture.
I found three of the four clocks on the screen - or do the two faces on the handheld clock count as two?
Thanks, Holly. I guess the same perceptions/mis-perceptions are happening right now, too.
The hardest timepiece to spot is the tiny hand-held watch in front of the bowl of fruit on the table outside the window. Thanks for playing!
Your article tempts me to throw financial prudence to the winds and book a ticket to Hong Kong RIGHT NOW. And thanks very much for endorsing Versailles Century!
Oops. The exhibition is already over. I can probably buy a catalogue...
I guess you would have loved it, David. I should have alerted you to it earlier! Maybe tehre will be a French version of it at some stage?
That'd be great, I hope France will follow suit. Reading your marvellous report, Jeffrey, I thought the whole time how our David would enjoy it!
As your photo essay shows, so much that's wonderful can come through nations' cultural exchanges, and we are the better for them. I particularly like the Chinese rouge-red porcelain bowl, the beautiful writing table, and those two curiosities: the calculator and the porcelain Trianon. Your commentary is enlightening, too. What a fine exhibition that must have been!
Thank you, Maureen. It was very fine, an enriching experience and a reminder as you suggest of the power of cultural exchange. And that rouge-red bowl was simply exquisite!
That Qing dynasty porcelain cup is so beautiful, I can't believe it's over 700 years old.
I always love exhibitions that have a clear narrative, and this one looks simply divine - thanks for sharing pics and thoughts, Jeffrey! My favorite museum still is the DeYoung in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - they've produced some amazing exhibitions that I've really enjoyed - the Post-Impressionists from the (temporarily reassembled) collection of Leo and Gertrude Stein, the European Arts & Crafts movement, Dale Chihuly's glass art, and Vivienne Westwood's fashion among others.
Thank you, Troy! I share your feelings about exhibitions with a clear narrative. And yes, this one was fabulous.
A pair of treasure houses combined; that must have been a terrific exhibition.
It was indeed!
Always impressed by the breadth of your interests and appreciation, Jeffrey. No doubt natural and cultivated before but surely deeply nurtured by your career?
I guess that's right, Jay. I've been lucky enough to have been exposed to a lot of cultural influences.
A wonderful photographic essay, Jeffrey. I feel like I got to through the museum with you as my guide. Which, I must say, was a great experience. I also love the quote at the end :)
Thank you for joining me, Michael!
Gorgeous artifacts, gorgeous photos, and as usual, gorgeous writing!
About the Pascaline calculator: in addition to the engraved Chinese numerals around the circumference, there were Chinese characters for currency weight measurements (the 5 on the right) and decimal system (the 5 on the left) :)
Thank you, Yi! And thank you for the additional information! I'm guessing you would have enjoyed this exhibition.
I’d love to visit the exhibition!
Such an unlikely pairing of cultures... I thoroughly enjoyed this essay Jeffrey and the photos, the screens are beautiful and the exquisite rose coloured cup!
Thank you, Susie! Yes, that cup… a beauty.
The two screens are beautiful! I found three clocks too (thanks for the additional puzzle/mystery component to your post). I wish that I made the time to visit the exhibition when it was here in HK.
It was a beautiful and also highly interesting exhibition, Sarah. I'm so glad I was able to sneak away from a busy schedule to see it.
I can't decide what's more exquisitely done: Jeffrey's article, or all those artefacts?
Thank you for your kind words, Portia. My vote is for the artefacts 😊
But it's your words that brought them to light for us. Let's call it a draw.
You are too kind, Portia!