Palace of Double Brilliance

Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum

the Palace Museum

This year marks the 25th anniversary of both Macao’s return to the motherland and the close collaboration between the Palace Museum and the Macao Museum of Art under the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government. At this auspicious occasion, we are jointly presenting Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum at the Macao Museum of Art, celebrating a cultural feast and appreciating the beauty of cultural relics.

The name of the Palace of Double Brilliance (Chonghua Gong) is derived from the ‘Canon of Shun’ in the ‘Yu Shu’ chapter of the Book of Documents. The canon states, ‘Emperor Shun’s name was Chonghua. He was a man of virtue like Emperor Yao. He was wise, gentle, and humble. His virtue was renowned throughout the world. He diligently cultivated his moral character, and his reputation spread far and wide within the court and among the people. As a result, he was appointed to his position.’ Emperor Shun was thus ‘able to succeed Emperor Yao, enhancing the brilliance of his moral virtue, and aligning this virtue with Emperor Yao, being equally wise and enlightened.’

During Qianlong's reign, society was stable, and the borders were secure. He remains one of the most influential emperors in Chinese history, leaving a rich legacy in the development of culture and arts. The Palace of Double Brilliance served as the emperor’s residence when he was a prince. This architectural masterpiece is also home to countless cultural treasures. The exhibition displays over 130 precious cultural relics from the palace during the Qianlong period, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of that time, exploring the artistic essence and historical memories of that era, and inviting the audiences in Macao to appreciate the enduring charm of traditional Chinese culture.

As a crossroads of Chinese and Western cultures, Macao showcases not only the exchange and mutual learning between these cultures but also the intertwining and integration of various regional cultures from China, embracing diversity in harmony. The Palace Museum, with its collection of nearly two million cultural relics – vital carriers of 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation – stands as a historical witness to the fusion of diverse cultures.

Looking back, the Palace Museum and Macao have worked closely for 25 unforgettable years, fostering flourishing cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields – exhibitions of cultural relics, personnel exchanges, academic discussions, cultural creativity, and artefact restoration. Since Macao’s return to the motherland in 1999, we have collaborated with the Macao Museum of Art to present numerous themed exhibitions, starting with Splendors of a Flourishing Age: Paintings and Antiques of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns from the Forbidden City. These exhibitions have allowed the people of Macao to traverse time, experiencing the grandeur of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong eras, appreciating ancient texts, and admiring the exquisite treasures of the imperial court, thus strengthening the cultural ties between the mainland and Macao.

Looking ahead, we are eager to continue collaborating with the Cultural Affairs Bureau to plan more exhibitions and cultural activities, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture. We aim to ensure that Chinese culture continues to thrive in Macao, where East meets West and diversity is embraced, fulfilling the historical mission of cultural exchange and mutual appreciation.

As time progresses and new chapters unfold, we present this exhibition, Palace of Double Brilliance: Special Exhibition from the Palace Museum, as a cultural gift to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. We wish Macao an even brighter future!

Wang Xudong
Director of the Palace Museum



Opening Date:
2024/11/28 17:30
Duration:
2024/11/29 - 2025/03/02