Starting Saturday (March 20), the Hong Kong Palace Museum will present an extraordinary exhibition that takes visitors on a historical journey through China's equestrian art, showcasing masterpieces spanning centuries.
The Heavenly Horses: Masterpieces from the Palace Museum exhibition, running until March 17, 2027, will feature 76 exquisite paintings from the Palace Museum in Beijing, including 15 grade-one national treasures.
This highly anticipated exhibition highlights the rich history of horse paintings in China, from the Yuan dynasty to the 20th century. It will be presented in four phases, each lasting approximately three months to ensure the preservation of light-sensitive paper and silk works.
The exhibition will feature over 60 renowned artists, with nearly 100 works on display, including famous pieces by figures such as the Ming dynasty’s painter Qiu Ying, Qing dynasty missionary artist Giuseppe Castiglione, and Chinese modern art pioneer Xu Beihong.
One of the most celebrated works on display is the Three Horses, regarded as one of the national treasures painted by the renowned Yuan dynasty artist Jiufeng Daoren. As a light-sensitive piece, it will be displayed for only one month before being placed back into storage for preservation.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view horse painting by Aisin Gioro Zaiying, a rare artwork by the grandson of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing dynasty, which has never been exhibited outside the Beijing Palace Museum before.
The exhibition is designed to showcase not only the artistic brilliance of these historical works but also the cultural significance of horses in Chinese art and history.
The artworks will be divided into four thematic sections, each highlighting different aspects of Chinese equestrian art, from spiritual representations of horses to their symbolic roles in society.
For the first time, the Hong Kong Palace Museum is integrating technology into the exhibit, featuring an interactive AI installation that allows visitors to try their hand at creating their own horse paintings.
The museum said it hopes to engage visitors in a more immersive way, combining traditional art with modern technology and giving a unique twist to the exhibition.
marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com
