SASC
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. On this double celebration, the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, under the auspices of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, has once again partnered with the Palace Museum to present the significant exhibition, Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum.
The name of the Palace of Double Brilliance (Chonghua Gong) embodies the wisdom and benevolence of emperors Yao and Shun. The palace was built in the early Ming dynasty and served as the residence for princes and grandsons of the emperor during Yongzheng’s reign in the Qing dynasty. Later, it was expanded by Emperor Qianlong, becoming an important study, treasure trove, and reception area, where various events such as New Year celebrations, tea banquets, and meetings with foreign envoys took place.
This exhibition showcases an array of treasures, including the clocks that the Qing court emulated and innovated upon from their Western counterparts, as well as furniture, the Four Treasures of the Study, books, and paintings. These items offer a multifaceted view of the decorative arts and daily necessities of the Qing court during the prosperous reign of Qianlong. The exhibition also reflects the emperor’s diligence and artistic taste, as he referred to himself as the ‘Old Man of Ten Great Campaigns’. Cultural and military achievements reached it pinnacle during his reign, marked by social stability and secure borders. He valued cultural heritage and development, overseeing the editing and compilation of classic texts. Regarding foreign policy, he adhered to principles of prudence and fairness and the Confucian strategy that ‘the defences of the emperor were the tribes on every side of the Kingdom’, thereby safeguarding the nation from potential threats on its frontiers.
The Palace Museum in Beijing is home to countless treasures, a place embodying over 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation. It is a gathering place for outstanding traditional Chinese culture, and a witness to the fusion of diverse cultural exchanges. Over the past 25 years, through annual collaborations between the MAM and the Palace Museum, a series of major exhibitions have enabled the people of Macao to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture, enhancing their national pride and confidence. At the same time, these initiatives have effectively promoted Chinese culture overseas, interpreting Chinese civilisation and yielding remarkable results that benefit the community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Palace Museum for its unwavering support.
Today, as the Chinese nation embraces opportunities for new development, Macao is dedicated to advancing towards its goal of ‘One Centre, One Platform, and One Base’ to integrate into the broader national development framework. On this dual celebration, we sincerely anticipate the Palace of Double Brilliance exhibition, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of our great nation. We wholeheartedly wish for an even brighter future for our motherland and Macao!
We wish the exhibition great success!
Ao Ieong U
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government