Not The Merciless sadly, but Ming is still coming to The British Museum later in 2014, bringing with it some of the finest artifacts to come out of the dynasty’s period of rule in China. Ming: 50 Years That Changed China exhibition looks set to be the infusion of colour to the London museum calendar this year and with the epic confined of the huge building it’ll be a very cool display of some of the era’s most impressive art.
The exhibition will be opening on the 18th September 2014, following on from the Viking exhibition that opens in March, confirming the Museum’s ability to construct an unending stream of great events. It’ll run on until the 5th January 2015, giving you plenty of time to try to catch the display and immerse yourself in 15th Century Chinese art, craftsmanship and history.
If you’re not familiar with the Ming Dynasty, it’s a 226 year run of power in China by the Empire of the Great Ming, which is a class name on a number of levels (there’s not much call for being a great Ming these days, unfortunately). The Dynasty began in 1368 when a penniless peasant called Zhu Yuanzhang managed to wrestle control of the empire from the Yaun Dynasty after widespread economic trouble and rebellion throughout China.
However, the Ming: 50 Years That Changed China exhibition focuses on a very distinct timeline within the rule of the Ming Dynasty to showcase the period in which the vibrant colour and might of the Empire was at its most productive. Between 1400 and 1450 AD, the Dynasty was an international powerhouse with trade and political connections throughout the known world at the time. It’s also when the seat of power in China was moved to Beijing and the construction of the Forbidden City was completed.
As a result of the wide-reaching connections of the Dynasty, artists during the golden age were able to import new techniques, skills and concepts into what was already a rich array of creative flare. As a result of the combination of their traditional talents and influence from the outside world, they were able to create some of the most stunning artwork, ranging from painting to pottery, including the well known Ming Vase.
The exhibition itself will include a sizable body of this output to showcase the significance of the period to the concept of modern day China. However, it’s not just Ming vases and paintings that will be on display as it will feature a wide number of other porcelain productions, as well as gold work, jewellery, opulent furniture, sculptures and textiles work, which sets it up to be a true representation of the massive creativity that the Ming Dynasty inspired.
The items on display have been drawn together by The British Museum from galleries and museums from around the world 10 Chinese institutions and 21 international lenders. It will also feature a number of items that have only recently been discovered to highlight the fact that research is ongoing on the full extent of Ming Dynasty art. The majority of these haven’t been seen yet outside of China, so it’s a pretty special collection that has been brought together.
Tickets for the Ming: 50 Years That Changed China exhibition are £16.50 for adults, free for under 16s and museum members, £13 for concessions (16-18yrs, students, disabled persons, unemployed) and £8.25 for National Art Pass members from the The British Museum website. Opening times are daily 10.00am to 5:30pm, with late night opening on Fridays until 8.30pm. Last entry to the exhibition is 70 mins before the closing time.
