De Nieuwe Kerk announces Ming: Emperors, Artists and Merchants in Ancient China

De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam presents Ming: Emperors, Artists and Merchants in Ancient China an exhibition on view From 5 October 2013 to 2 February 2014.

This exhibition tells the story of China’s Ming dynasty (1368–1644). In collaboration with the Nanjing Museum, one of China’s leading museums, De Nieuwe Kerk will host an exclusive collection of original Ming artefacts, complemented by classic delftware from the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague and a series of exquisite erotic drawings from the private collection of Ferdinand Bertholet.

The Ming dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang in 1368, after he drove out the Mongol khans of the Yuan dynasty. The empire of the Ming – a word literally meaning ‘brilliant’ – became a stable, enduring success. This exhibition paints a picture of its achievements, especially in trade, culture and the arts. In a time of great social transformation and a flourishing consumer culture, the Ming dynasty placed strong emphasis on aesthetic values. The fifth Ming emperor, Xuande (reigned 1425–35) was a great royal patron of the arts and established the artistic reputation of the Ming dynasty. The objects owned by the emperors attest to their lives of awe-inspiring wealth and opulence. An aesthetic planning committee set up by the court ensured the ongoing production of high-quality fine and applied art. Ming artists and artisans produced an incredibly wide range of objects. The deliberate construction of a free-market economy generated demand for consumer goods at home and abroad.

This touring exhibition is being jointly organised with Nomad Exhibitions.