PAST EXHIBITION
A Glimpse of China in the 18th Century
The 18th century in China witnessed the reign periods of three important Manchu emperors of the last imperial Qing (pronounced as ch’ing) dynasty (1644-1911): Emperor Kangxi (r. 1662-1722), Emperor Yongzheng (r. 1723-1735), and Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736-1795). Both Emperor Kangxi and his grandson, Emperor Qianlong, were intensely interested in other cultures. They emulated the scholarly elite of the Han majority whom they ruled, for example, composing poems and writing them in calligraphy and displaying them in many forms. Similarly, they showed much curiosity about the west. During these three prosperous reigns, the arts flourished at court with far-reaching implications for innovation.
In this exhibition, with works from the McMaster Museum of Art, and private collections, we present a mere glimpse of the rippling effects as contrast to that which highlighted the 18th century in the west.
Angela Sheng is an Associate Professor of art history in McMaster’s School of the Arts and Director Chair of the Confucius Institute at McMaster University. Her research areas include Interculturality along the Silk Road and transdiscplinary comparison of the art and visual culture of selected minorities in China with the Inuit of Canada.
List of Works in Exhibition:
Chinese porcelain dish with dragon motif, Ming dynasty, Zhengde period, 1506-1521, Master Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Two Chinese porcelain dishes with stylized flora and sprigs on yellow field; Jingdeshen?, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period, 1723-1735, McMaster Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Chinese porcelain export dish with Dutch ship approaching a Chinese shore, Qing dynasty, 18th century
McMaster Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Chinese figure of white-robed Buddhist Bodhisattva of Compassion in female manifestation (Guanyin)
Qing dynasty, 18th century, Dehua porcelain or blanc de chine, McMaster Museum of Art,
Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Chinese figure of HAN Xiangzi, one of the eight Daoist immortals , Qing dynasty, 18th century, carved ivory, McMaster Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Chinese figure of ZHANG Guolao, one of the eight Daoist immortals, Qing dynasty, 18th century
carved ivory, McMaster Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Chinese wine vessel in the form of an ancient ritual bronze Jue, Qing dynasty, 18th century, Cinnabar lacquer on a lead core, McMaster Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
32 Views of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Private Collection, A 2010 reproduction in two fold-out books of the original paintings done from 1765 to 1772 for Emperor Qianlong (r. 1735-1796) in four volumes by court painter QIAN Weicheng (1720-1772), with calligraphy by court official QUI Yuxiu (1712-1773). The originals are in the National Library in Beijing.
PU Quan (Chinese 1913-1991), Four painted scrolls (based on an 18th century composition/theme), 1941, ink wash on silk, McMaster Museum of Art, Charles P. Fell Bequest of Oriental Artifacts, 1988
Bernard Picart (French 1673-1733), Convoi funebre d’un grand de la Chine [Funeral procession in China], 1723, engraving, from Volume 4 of Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peoples du monde, Private collection
Guest Curator: Dr. Angela Sheng
August 23, 2011 – January 07, 2012
PAST EXHIBITIONS
We Remain Certain
Arenhátyen tsi ní:tsi teyottenyonhátye’ kwató:ken tsi nī:tsi yonkwa’nikonhrayén:ta’s
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FEATURED PUBLICATIONS
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The Clichettes: Lips, Wigs, and Politics
Published on the occasion of the exhibition The Clichettes: Lips, Wigs, and Politics held at the McMaster Museum of Art (M(M)A) in Hamilton, Ontario in 2024. With essays by Ivana Dizdar, Marni Jackson, John Greyson, Alexandra Schwartz, Mark Kingwell, rl Goldberg, Lillian Allen, and Wanda Nanibush. Bridging theatre, lip-sync, dance, drag, costume, and comedy, the […]
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self/same/other
Barbara Astman, Carl Beam, Meryl McMaster, Sorel Cohen, Joseph Beuys, Bidemi Oloyede, Christina Leslie, Jeff Thomas, Micah Lexier, László Moholy-Nagy This exhibition brings together artworks drawn from the M(M)A permanent collection that present diverse ways of exploring self-imaging and subjectivity through different types of photo-based media. Expanding the genres of portraiture and self-portraiture, selected works […]
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Coins in the McMaster Museum of Art: The Greek and Roman Collections
Ancient Greek and Roman coinage represents the intersection of politics, economics, and art; no other medium in the ancient world more closely reflects the decisions of administrations, the expectations of civic bodies, and detailed craftspersonship. Coins are among the most ubiquitous artifacts from Classical antiquity and despite their small size, are among the most instructive […]
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IMMUNE NATIONS
This catalogue documents a multi-year art-science project called Immune Nations, produced on the occasion of its exhibition at the McMaster Museum of Art in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Initiated in 2014 and co-led by Steven Hoffman (York University), Sean Caulfield (University of Alberta), and Natalie Loveless (University of Alberta), Immune Nations brought together scientists, policy experts, […]
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Peripheral Vision(s)
Peripheral Vision(s) includes scholarly essays by some of the most prominent Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices within the fields of Indigenous art history and art criticism today.
SUBMISSIONS & ASSISTANCE
SUBMISSIONS:
The McMaster Museum of Art is presently not accepting artists’ submissions for exhibitions at this time of leadership change at the museum. Our Interim Director will be undertaking a review of the museum’s forward exhibition schedule, as well as our policies and procedures, in the coming months. Our present focus is the ongoing maintenance of our permanent collection and storage needs for future collection activities.
The museum remains committed to our collecting priority in the continued support of early career, mid-career and established Indigenous artists, artists of the Black diaspora and racialized artists through purchases and commissions. Donations will be welcomed and reviewed at a future date which will be posted on our website.
ASSISTANCE:
The McMaster Museum of Art is a third party recommender for Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Exhibition Assistance Grants.
The museum is currently accepting applications. Our next program deadline is: December 16, 2024.
Priorities:
Artists who demonstrate an interest and consideration of art as a medium for social change and action.
Please follow the guidelines established by the Ontario Arts Council, apply directly through their website, and submit the following with your applications:
Brief artist statement
Confirmation letter from the gallery/museum/venue
Budget
CV
Digital images of work
