The Glory of the Emperors of China

The Forbidden City in Beijing is one of the largest museums in the world. For almost 500 years, it was the seat of government of the emprerors of China, and formed the middle of the Middle Kingdom. The face of the Forbidden City was shaped by the last dynasty, the Qing from Manchuria (1644–1911), who left behind a collection of more than 1.8 million art treasures.

The Glory of the Emprerors of China: Art and Life in the Forbidden City shows a selection of the outstanding artworks that illustrate the taste and lifestyle, and also the cosmopolitan world-view of the imperial court of the 17th and 18th centuries. The focus is on the roile of the emperor as Son of Heaven, responsible for the political, religious and cultural affairs of the whole empire.

Official portraits, ceremonial garments and a complete throne ensemble dive an insight into the Confucian court ritual. Depictions of foreign tribute legations bear witness to the political hegemony of the Middle Kingdom. Cult objects identify the rulers as the highest religious instance, while testifying to their personal piety. Pictures by painters at the court academy show the emperors as scholars and art collectors, or in the circle of their family, or out hunting. Porcelain from the imperial factories bears witness to the rulers’ refined taste.

By contrast, the astronomical instruments of European Jesuit missionaries – for example the court astronomer Adam Schall von Bell, who was born in Cologne – show their lively interest in Western sciences. A total of 90 groups of objects give an insight into the Chinese emperors’ claim to universal rule, while illuminating the traditional ideal of the harmoniously ordered state from the point of view of the court. The exhibition is being shown only in Cologne. It celebrates the silver jubilee of the twinning arrangement between Beijing and Cologne, as well as the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic and the Federal Republic.