Annual Report 2008 Report Annual The Palace of The Publishing House City Publishing The Forbidden

Annual Report 2008 of The The Forbidden City Publishing House 00元 78. 定价:

Annual Report 2008 of

The Palace Museum

Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Director: Zheng Xinmiao (Vice Minister of Culture) Executive Deputy Director: Ji Deputy Directors: Li Wenru, Jin Hongkui, Ji Tianbin, Wang Yamin, Chen Lihua, Duan Yong

※Address: No. 4 Jingshan qianjie, ※Postal code: 100009 ※Website: http://www.dpm.org.cn 6 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Contents

Summery of Work in 2008 8

Collection Management and

Conservation of Ancient Buildings 12

Exhibitions 20

Academic Research 38

Education, Publicity and Public Service 52

Digital Palace Museum 60

International Exchange and Cooperation 66

Financial Statements 82

7 8 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Summary of Work in 2008

asdsadadsasd 9 n 2008 the Palace Museum continue its activities relating to cultural I heritage protection activities which included collection management, an- cient architecture protection, exhibitions, visitor services, research and pub- lishing, information technology and international exchange. These activities promoted preservation of the Forbidden City and the further development of a modernized museum facility.

A quick overview of the Museum’s projects includes:

In 2008, the museum received 9.49 million visitors from home and abroad.

It carried on the work of ordering the collections, resulting in the compilation of four volumes on the museum’s collection in The Compendium of the Palace Museum’s Collection, which were the first to be published.

As part of the large-scale ancient building maintenance, repair and con- servation project, the maintenance and repair of the Gate of Supreme Har- mony, the and the Gate of Divine Prowess — all located in the key tourist areas were completed in mid July and reopened to visitors.

Efforts were made to strengthen research management, advance aca- demic studies and augment influences in academic circles according to the guidelines of Forbidden City Studies.

10 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum The museum explored scientific means of exhibition toward improv- ing cultural heritage protection, fine-tuned exhibition arrangements and added to the exhibitions on display, thereby highlighting the uniqueness of Chinese court culture. In 2008, eighteen new exhibitions were held inside the museum.

The museum continued to improve its public service capacities by providing lectures on the Forbidden City, organizing thematic tours and visitor questionnaires and building barrier-free access.

The museum established a cultural exhibition information platform and completed the development of the Automated Office System 3.0 in an effort to advance information technology.

It cooperated with other through joint exhibitions and col- laborations, participated in various international academic exchanges and sent groups to study foreign museums and world heritage sites. In this way, it broadened the scope of international exchange and further strengthened its ties and cooperation with foreign museums.

Summary of Work in 2008 11 12 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Collection Management and Conservation of Ancient Buildings

13 Examining artefacts

I. Collection Management ccording to The Palace Museum Plan for Sorting Collections, 2004 ~ 2010, A a total of 367,070 objects were examined in 2008. To date, 580,405 objects, or about 62% of the 940,000 total of recorded objects, have un- dergone this process. One of the major achievements of this work was the publication of four volumes on the painting collection in The Compendium of the Palace Museum’s Collection. In the meantime, meetings on cultural heritage administration were convened on a regular basis to keep those con- cerned with the project informed of the progress made in sorting the mu- Interface of the new Collections Manage- seum’s artifacts, to exchange views and experience and to ensure that the ment Information System work will be completed in 2010 as planned. The museum updated and improved its collection management sys- tem. On May 26, the new system for managing the flow of the museum’s objects and their movement in and out of storage was officially put into service. In order to strengthen the security of collected cultural relics, anti- seismic measures were taken in storage rooms and on cultural relics on dis- play and video monitoring devices were installed in storage areas. The museum accelerated research on cultural relics protection and strived to conserve its collections and ancient buildings by using advanced

14 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Published Volumes of The A Published Volume of The Compendium of the Palace The cover of An Overview Compendium of the Palace Museum’s Collection of the Palace Museum’s Museum’s Collection Collections in Beijing and

technology. A total of 247 cultural relics were repaired and restored, in sup- port of exhibitions and other programs. It continued to strengthen its efforts in protecting and restoring textiles, in the scientific conservation of ancient buildings and mural and in the fumigation of cultural relics. It Mounting and repair skills of ancient made progress on a diversity of projects, including the project for the pro- calligraphic works and paintings of the tection and restoration of relics related to imperial ceremonies, the research Palace Museum was named as ’s state-level intangible cultural heritage project on non-invasive inspection techniques of cultural relics with X-ray apparatus, the research project on the management of cultural relic storage and exhibition environments, the research project on the iron construction of the Crystal Palace and its protection and the keeping records on the pro- tection and restoration of artifacts. In 2008, the Palace Museum collated information for two reports: “Mounting and repair skills of ancient calligraphic works and paintings” and “Construction techniques of ancient official buildings” that were of- ficially included in the second round of China’s state-level intangible cul- Construction techniques of ancient offi- tural heritage. The Ancient Ceramics Test and Research Lab of the museum cial buildings of the Palace Museum was named as China’s state-level intangible was officially designated by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage cultural heritage (SACH) as its key research center for the conservation of ancient ceram- ics. At present, the Palace Museum is planning to make a TV documentary called Unique Techniques from the Palace Museum on cultural relics restoration techniques and use it as an opportunity to preserve and systematically col- late intangible cultural heritage. In 2008, the museum acquired 135 pieces of ancient stone tablet rubbings in forty-six groups and accepted seven donations of thirty-seven cultural relics. The Museum accepted the following donations:

Collection Management and Conservation of Ancient Buildings 15 1. Mr. Wang Shiqing and his wife Shen Jiaying donated twenty paint- ings dating from the (1644 ~ 1911) to the Republic of China (1911 ~ 1949). 2. Three professors with Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute donated their own creations: Spring in the Air by Qin Xilin, A Silent Observer by Zhou Guozhen and A Family Blessed with Many Sons (jar in contending colors) by Shi Yuren. 3. Mr. Zhou Rongxin from Chengdu, Sichuan donated a Tang dy- A Qing boccaro teapot made by craftsman nasty vessel from the Qiong kiln. Yang Pengnian donated by Mr. Li Jun 4. Li Jun, president of the Asian Capital Forum, donated a Qing boc- caro teapot made by craftsman Yang Pengnian with an inscription by Chen Mansheng. 5. Mai Xiuwei, Board Director of Xindongyang Group in , do- nated a fencai (famille-rose) large ceramic bowl made for export during the reign of the (1736 ~ 1795). 6. Mr. Jao Tsung-I donated ten paintings including Emaciated Horse. 7. Blancpain, the Swiss watch manufacturer owned by Swatch Group, donated a one-of-a-kind version of its Carrousel Volant Une Minute — the Fencai Large Ceramic Bowl made for Blancpain Qiankun Carrousel wristwatch. export during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor

Donation Ceremony of the Blancpain Qiankun Carrousel wristwatch by Blancpain, the Swiss watch manufacturer owned by Swatch Group

The Blancpain Qiankun Carrousel wrist- watch donated by Blancpain, the Swiss watch manufacturer owned by Swatch Group

16 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Restoration pragram in 2008

repaired programs repairing programs Plan to repair

II. Conservation of Historical Architecture The Palace Museum made steady headway in the conservation and maintenance of the Forbidden City in accordance with The Outline of the Master Plan on the Conservation of the Forbidden City. It convened the fifth meeting of the Advisory Committee on Repair of the Forbidden City and brought to full play the role of the engineering experts on the committee. To reinforce information transparency, it held press conferences to release information on major repairs in the renovation project. The maintenance and repair of the , the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Gate of Divine Prowess — all located in key tourist areas — were completed in mid-July and reopened to visi- tors. Since this major repair project was launched in 2003, the tasks of its first phase, as specified in The Outline of the Master Plan on the Conservation of the Forbidden City, were accomplished. These repairs covered an area of 38,083 square meters and included ancient buildings like the Hall of Mar- tial Valor, the main structure of the as well as the eastern and

Collection Management and Conservation of Ancient Buildings 17 Restoration of the Palace of Longevity and Health Restoration Site western wings along the central axis of the complex and other buildings in the neighborhood, the Hall of Imperial Peace, the Storage of Opera Cos- tumes, the Gate of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Gate of Divine Prowess. Having been repaired and renovated, ten new exhibition halls, including the one at the Meridian Gate, were put into use; and the area of the Forbidden City open to the public was considerably ex- panded. At present, the buildings under repair include the Palace of Longev- ity and Health, the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility and the imperial Interview at the construction site censors’ office, which cover a combined area of 7743 square meters. On November 10, the completion ceremony of the repair and resto- ration project on the Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service ( Juanqin- zhai) was held in the Qianlong Retirement Garden in the Forbidden City. In addition, the maintenance and repair of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, the Palace of Longevity and Health and the imperial censors’ office were being all moving carried forward on schedul.

Completion ceremony of the repair and restoration project on the Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service (Juanqinzhai)

18 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum The Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service after restoration

The trompe l’oeil paintings in the Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service after restoration

Restoring the trompe l’oeil painting in the Studio of Exhaus- tion from Diligent Service

Collection Management and Conservation of Ancient Buildings 19 20 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Exhibitions

asdsadadsasd 21 n 2008, eighteen exhibitions (including three from abroad) were held Iin the museum. In addition, the Palace Museum participated in eleven exhibitions held elsewhere or by other Chinese museums. Many of these exhibitions were unveiled during the Beijing Olympic Games and the ex- hibits included many select items from the Palace Museum’s collections of ceramics, costumes, gold and sliver ware, ware and court relics.

I. The matic Exhibitions in the Museum

1. Exhibition on the History of the Palaces ※Time: August 8, 2008 ~ ※Venue: Eastern wing of the Hall of Preserving Harmony ※Number of exhibits: 200

Exhibition on History of the Palaces

22 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum 2. Ceramics Hall ※Time: July 15, 2008 ~ ※Venue: Hall of Literary Brilliance ※Number of exhibits: 397

Ceramics Hall.

Exhibitions 23 Jade of a Prosperous Age: Jade articles made during the Qianlong reign in the Collection of the Palace Museum

3. Jade of a Prosperous Age: Jade articles made during the Qianlong reign in the collection of The Palace Museum ※Time: August 8, 2008 ~ ※Venue: Palace of Accumulated Purity ※Number of Exhibits: 155

4. The Glitter of Gold and Silver: Special Exhibition of Qing Imperial Gold and Silver Objects The Glitter of Gold and Silver: Special Exhibition of Qing Imperial Gold and Silver Objects ※Time: August 8, 2008 ~ ※Venue: Palace of Great Brilliance ※Number of exhibits: 122

24 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum 5. The Imperial Collections (moved) ※Time: August, 2008 ~ ※Venue: Western wing of the Hall of Preserving Harmony ※Number of exhibits: 41

The Imperial Collections

Exhibitions 25 Splendors of Imperial Costume: Qing Court Attire from the Palace Museum Collection

6. Splendors of Imperial Costume: Qing Court Attire from The Palace Museum Collection ※Time: August 8 ~ November 10, 2008 ※Venue: Hall of the Meridian Gate ※Number of exhibits: 105

26 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum The Hall of Martial Valor

Dynastic Paintings and Calligraphy in the Palace Museum Collection

7-9. Dynastic Paintings and Calligraphy in the Palace Museum Collection (the first three of a planned nine-exhibition series) ※Time: First exhibition: April 21 ~ June 9 Second exhibition: July 15 ~ August 31 Third exhibition: September 12 ~ October 31 ※Venue: Hall of Martial Valor ※Number of exhibits: First exhibition: 70 Second exhibition: 69 Third exhibition: 69

Exhibitions 27 The Era of Co-existing Scripts—Dictionaries Collected by the The Era of Co-existing Scripts—Dictionaries Collected by the Qing Court Qing Court

10. The Era of Co-existing Scripts—Dictionaries Collected by the Qing Court ※Time: May 28 ~ October 31, 2008 ※Venue: West wing of the Hall of Martial Valor ※Number of exhibits: 40

11. Perfection—Fine Editions from the Hall of Martial Valor ※Time: May 28 ~ October 31, 2008 ※Venue: East wing of the Hall of Martial Valor ※Number of exhibits: 40

28 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum 12. Selected Objects Donated to the Palace Museum ※Time: August 2008 ~ ※Venue: Palace of Great Benevolence ※Number of exhibits: 100

13. Paintings by Four Buddhist Monks of the Qing Dynasty ※Time: January 10 ~ May 8, 2008 ※Venue: Eastern Hall of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness ※Number of exhibits: 77

Selected Objects Donated to the Palace Museum

Paintings by Four Buddhist Monks of the Qing Dynasty

Exhibitions 29 Large within Small—Exhibition of ’s Small-scale Landscape Paintings

Paintings of the Amusements of the of the Qing Dynasty

14. Large within Small—Exhibition of Wang Hui’s Small-scale Landscape Paintings ※Time: July 25 ~ December 9, 2008 ※Venue: Eastern Hall of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness ※Number of exhibits: 43

15. Paintings of the Amusements of the Yongzheng Emperor of the Qing Dynasty ※Number: December 12, 2008 ~ March 12, 2009 ※Venue: Eastern Hall of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness ※Number of exhibits: 77

30 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum The Royal Style: Emperor’s Gold and Silver Ware Collected by the Imperial Palace

II. Participation in Exhibitions outside the Palace Museum 1. The Royal Style: Gold and Sliverware for Imperial Use in the Palace Museum ※Time: May 21 ~ July 10, 2008 ※Venue: Inner Mongolia Museum, Hohhot ※Number of exhibits: 100

Exhibitions 31 Selected Cultural Relics in Beijing

2. Selected Cultural Relics in Beijing (participant) ※Time: July 1 ~ December 31, 2008 (Some exhibits will be displayed until May 31, 2009) ※Venue: Capital Museum, Beijing ※Number of exhibits: 101

32 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum 3. Chinese Memory: Treasures of A 5000-Year Civilization (participant) ※Time: July 5 ~ October 6, 2008 ※Venue: Capital Museum, Beijing ※Number of exhibits: 17

4. Sports and Games inside and outside the Forbidden City (held jointly with the Capital Museum) ※Time: July 10 ~ October 10, 2007 ※Venue: Capital Museum, Beijing ※Number of exhibits: 66 (3 of documents)

Chinese Memory: Treasures of A 5000-Year Civilization

Sports and Games inside and outside the Forbidden City

Exhibitions 33 5. Exhibition of Chinese Invention Artifacts (participant) ※Time: July 28 ~ September 20, 2008 ※Venue: The new hall of China Science and Technology Museum, Beijing ※Number of exhibits: 59

6. Selected Paintings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (held jointly with the National Art Museum of China) ※Time: July 11 ~ August 31, 2008 ※Venue: National Art Museum of China, Beijing ※Number of exhibits: 60

Exhibition of Chinese Invention Artifacts

Selected Paintings of Ming and Qing Dynasties

34 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Ming and Qing Dynasty Official-kiln Blue- and-white Porcelains from the Palace Museum

7. Ming and Qing Dynasty Official-kiln Blue-and-white Porcelains from the Palace Museum ※Time: September 4, 2008 ~ September 3, 2009 ※Venue: China Ceramics Center in Zibo ※Number of exhibits: 25

asdsadadsasd 35 Historical Traces-Exhibition of Imperial Seals of Qing Dynatsty at Palace Museum

8. Historical Traces-Exhibition of Imperial Seals of Qing Dynasty at Palace Museum (see Annex 8 for pictures) ※Time: September 26 ~ December 7, 2008 ※Venue: Yuyuan Garden, ※Number of exhibits: 110

9. The Royal Style: Gold and Sliverware for Imperial Use from the Palace Museum ※Time: December 1, 2008 ~ February 28, 2009 ※Venue: Ningbo Museum ※Number of exhibits: 100

36 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition of Paintings and Calligraphic Works Collected by Weng Tonghe

10. Paintings and Calligraphic Works Collected by Weng Tonghe ※Time: December 10, 2008 ~ February 1, 2009 ※Venue: World Art Museum of China Millennium Monument, Beijing ※Number of exhibits: 3

11. Painting and Calligraphy by Chen Hongshou and Cui Zizhong from the Palace Museum and the Shanghai Museum Catalogue of the exhibition of Painting ※Time: December 25, 2008 ~ February 7, 2009 and Calligraphy by Chen Hongshou and Cui Zizhong ※Venue: Shanghai Museum ※Number of exhibits: 40

asdsadadsasd 37 38 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Academic Research

asdsadadsasd 39 The Short-Term Plan of the Palace The Outline of the Palace Museum’s Museum on Research (2008 ~ 2010) Mid- to long-term Plan on Research (2011 ~ 2020)

uided by Forbidden City Studies, the Palace Museum strives to create G a favorable atmosphere for academic research, in order to standard- ize and increase and make more scientific research project management and to initiate more and higher-quality museum and state-level research pro- grams and projects. The museum had carried forward its construction of a state-level research center and actively cooperated in international research. Taking advantage of the Palace Museum’s resources, the Forbidden City Publishing House formed and highlighted its unique characteristics. It used the development of the museum’s cultural resources as an opportunity, to extend its influences over a circle of museums and gradually established its reputation among the publishing houses affiliated with Chinese museums. The Palace Museum has also strengthened its research management. To guide and direct academic studies, it formulated The Palace Museum’s Short-term Plan on Research (2008 ~ 2010) and The Outline of the Palace Mu- seum’s Mid- to long-term Plan on Research (2011 ~ 2020). It began circulating of Briefing on the Research Work of the Palace Museum, which is a platform for resource sharing and academic exchange. In March, its proposal to establish itself as a key research base for ancient pottery and ceramics conservation on the basis of the museum’s Ancient Ceramics Test and Research Lab was ap- proved by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. It strengthened its cooperation with research institutes both in and outside of the museum in

40 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Seminar on the writing of the History of Court Laws and Regulations in

The ninth Seminar on the Court History of the Qing Dynasty

a series of research projects. Its partners included the Marx Planck Institute for the History of Science, Capital Normal University and the Sichuan Pro- vincial Institute of Cultural Relics and . Furthermore, the museum convened academic meetings in order to boost its influence in academic circles. In 2008, it hosted a succession of academic meetings, such as the First Seminar on the Court History of the Ming Dynasty, Workshop for Research on the History of Technologi- cal Exchanges between Chinese Courts and Local Institutions, the Ninth The meeting of the History of Technological Exchanges between Chinese Courts and Seminar on the Court History of the Qing Dynasty and participated in Local Institutions the Symposium on Repair, Restoration and Conservation of the Acropo- lis in Athens and the Forbidden City in Beijing, as well as the training and exchange on the protection and conservation of Italian cultural heritage. Thanks to these activities, it further enhanced its study of the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties, especially on the subjects of court history and on the conservation of ceramics and ancient architecture. The Palace Museum continued its compilation and publication of Journal of the Palace Museum, the Journal of Forbidden City Studies and the Forbidden City magazine. It edited and published the eighth volume of Col- lection of Papers on the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the fourteenth volume of Research on Ancient and The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum (60 volumes). A large-scale museum-level publishing program — The Compendium of the Palace Museum — was officially started and substantial compilation work is now being done.

Academic Research 41 Journal of the Palace Museum Journal of Forbidden City Studies Forbidden City magazine Fourth Volume

Annex: Major books published by the Palace Museum’s Forbidden City Publishing House in 2008

No. Title Author

An Overview of the Collections in the Palace Museum and the 1 Zheng Xinmiao in Taipei

Compiled by the Palace Museum; 2 131 Pieces of Pear-Wood Furniture You Should Know editor-in-chief: Rui Qian

Compiled by the Palace Museum; 3 200 Jade Objects You Should Know editor-in-chief: Zhang Guangwen

Compiled by the Palace Museum; 4 200 Snuff Bottles You Should Know editor-in-chief: Zhang Rong

Compiled by the Palace Museum; 5 200 Pieces of Sandalwood Furniture You Should Know editor-in-chief: Song Yongji

Compiled by the Palace Museum; 6 200 Ceramic Objects You Should Know editor-in-chief: Lü Chenglong

42 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Compiled by the Palace Museum; 7 200 Carved Lacquer Objects You Should Know editor-in-chief: Chen Lihua

8 200 Enamel Objects You Should Know Editor-in-chief: Chen Lihua

9 200 Official Seals You Should Know Editor-in-chief: Fang Bin

10 200 Glass Objects You Should Know Editor-in-chief: Zhang Rong

Selected Historical Writings on Furnishings of the Ming and 11 Editor: Jiajin Qing Dynasties

12 Ancient Lutes of the Palace Museum Zheng Minzhong

Research on the Development Form and Style in Furniture dur- 13 Wu Meifeng ing the Prime Period of the Qing Dynasty

14 Essays on Ritual Inscriptions Liu Yu

15 The Palace Museum in 2007 (English version) Compiled by the Palace Museum

16 The Palace Museum in 2007 (Chinese version) Compiled by the Palace Museum

17 A Biography of Donor Sun Yingzhou Compiled by the Palace Museum

Artistic Nirvana: a Report on Wu Guanzhong’s Donation of His 18 Editor-in-chief: Yu Hui Masterpieces to the Palace Museum

Academic Research 43 Compiled by the Palace Museum and Jao 19 Collection of Jao Tsung-I’s Works Tsung-I Petite Ecole, Hong Kong University

20 Jao Tsung-I’s Calligraphy and Painting Compiled by the Palace Museum

Compiled by the Palace Museum and the - 21 Napoleon and the Louvre vre Museum

22 Napoleon and the Louvre: Selected Treasures Compiled by the Palace Museum

Official Designs and Imperial Porcelain: The PalaceM u s e u m ’ s 23 Collection of Official Porcelain Designs and Porcelains from Compiled by the Palace Museum Imperial Kilns of the Qing Dynasty

Paintings and Calligraphic Works of Past Dynasties from the 24 Compiled by the Palace Museum Palace Museum’s Collection (Vol. 1)

Paintings and Calligraphic Works of Past Dynasties from the 25 Compiled by the Palace Museum Palace Museum’s Collection (Vol. 2)

26 Hall of Calligraphy and Painting of the Palace Museum (Vol. 1) Compiled by the Palace Museum

27 Hall of Calligraphy and Painting of the Palace Museum (Vol. 2) Compiled by the Palace Museum

28 Clocks and Watches in the Collection of the Palace Museum Compiled by the Palace Museum

29 Chinese Furniture in Ming and Qing Dynasties Various Authers

44 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Classics of the Palace Museum: Seals of the Emperors and the 30 Compiled by the Palace Museum Empresses in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Classics of the Palace Museum: Court Furniture of the Ming 31 Compiled by the Palace Museum and Qing Dynasties

32 The Palace Museum’s Ceramics Hall (2 vols.) Lü Chenglong and Yang Jingrong

33 China: The Three Emperors, 1662~1795 Compiled by the Palace Museum

The Splendors of Imperial Costume: Qing Court Attire from 34 Compiled by the Palace Museum the Palace Museum Collection (paperback)

The Splendors of Imperial Costume: Qing Court Attire from 35 Compiled by the Palace Museum the Palace Museum Collection (hardcover)

36 The Palace Museum’s Collection of Bronze Mirrors Compiled by the Palace Museum

37 Selected Ceramic Objects from the Palace Museum Lü Chenglong and Yang Jingrong

Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum/ Paintings/ 38 Editor-in-Chief: Yuan Jie Jin, Sui, Tang and the Five Dynasties

Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum/ Paintings/ 39 Editor-in-Chief: Yuan Jie (I)

Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum/ Paintings/ 40 Editor-in-Chief: Yuan Jie Song Dynasty (II)

Academic Research 45 Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum/ Paintings/ 41 Editor-in-Chief: Yuan Jie Song, Liao and Jin Dynasties

Compiled by the Palace Museum and the De- 42 Collection of Papers on the Ming and Qing Dynasties (Vol. 8) partment of History, Peking University

Compiled by Chinese Ancient Ceramics Re- 43 Ancient Chinese Ceramic Studies (Vol. 14) search Society

44 Annals of Ancient Chinese Craftsmen Compiled by Zhou Nanquan and Feng Nai’en

The Palace of Established Happiness: Restoring a Garden in the 45 May Holdsworth (Pan Man) Forbidden City (English)

Survey of Demographics of Visitors to the Palace Museum Compiled by the Palace Museum Department 46 from June 2007 to May 2008 of Publicity and Education

47 Illustrations for Tao Yuanming’s Poems by Shi Tao Compiled by the Palace Museum

48 ’s The Ten Grass Hut Paintings by Compiled by the Palace Museum

49 Gong Xian’s Landscape Paintings Compiled by the Palace Museum

50 ’s Paintings After Ancient Masters Compiled by the Palace Museum

51 Illustrations for Du Fu’s Poems by Wang Shimin Compiled by the Palace Museum

46 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Palace Museum Research Tasks Approved in 2008

No. Task Implemented by Headed by

1 A Study on Jade Processing Techniques in Ancient China Individual Xu Lin

2 A Study on Kaiwen Ink Produced in Anhui Province Team Lin Huan

Investigation of Women Painters’ Works Recorded in Shiqu 3 Baoji (first to third catalogues) and in the Palace Museum Individual Li Shi collection

4 James Cox and China Team Guo Fuxiang

Inspection and Research for the Conservation Project of the 5 Team Li Yue Hall of Exuberance in the Forbidden City

6 A Study of Wooden Structures in the Forbidden City Team Li Yongge

A Study on the Art and Techniques of the Pebble Mosaics in 7 Team Guo Jianqiao the Forbidden City

A Study of the Original Locations of Plaques and Couplets in 8 Team Liu Hongwu the Buildings of the Forbidden City

Research on Copies of Ding Guanpeng’s Seventeen Portraits 9 Team Zhang Rui of the Buddha and Arhats

Replication of Paintings and Calligraphy with Computer- 10 Team Guo Wenlin Aided Printing and Hand Copying

A Study of Alum Substitutes in Restoration, Copying and 11 Team Zu E Replication of Ancient Paintings and Calligraphy

Academic Research 47 The Palace Museum’s Research Projects Approved in 2008

No. Project Implemented by Headed by

Archeological Investigation of Tibetan Buddhism in 1 Team Luo Wenhua Khampa, Sichuan

Investigation of the Ming Dynasty Tibetan Buddhist 2 Mural Paintings and Cultural Relics in the Office of Team Luo Wenhua Chief Lu in Yongdeng County, Gansu

Interpretations of the Table of Contents of the Books 3 Block-Printed by the Imperial Household Department of Team Li Shijuan the Qing Dynasty

Collation of and Studies on Plaques of the Qing Dy- 4 Team Chunhua nasty in Manchu and Mongolian Scripts

Investigation and Preservation of the Palace Museum’s 5 Team Jin Hongkui Polychrome Paintings

The Project of the 3-D Database of Traditional Con- 6 Team Fu Weidong struction Techniques for China’s Official Buildings

48 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum ‘Eternal Forbidden City’, a Series of Lectures arranged by the Palace Museum in Universities in Beijing

Lecturer Time Place Topic

Chen Lihua Deputy Director of the Pal- March 26 Beijing Normal University A Day in the Life of the Emperor ace Museum

A Brief Discussion on the Appraisal and Wang Jianhua March 27 Authentication of Ancient Chinese Ceramics

Chen Lihua Deputy Director of the Pal- April 12 Beijing Jiaotong University A Day in the Life of the Emperor ace Museum

The Gushibian School (a school featuring suspicion of recorded historical beliefs) in Yu Hui May 23 Renmin University of China Appraising and Authenticating Paintings and Calligraphic Works

Development and Appraisal of Col- Lü Chenglong October 21 Beijing Normal University ored Ceramic Ware in the Ming Dynasty

Behind the Splendors—an Interpretation of Yan Yong November 7 Renmin University of China Qing Court Attire

Sports and Games Inside and Outside the Huang Weiwen December 3 Beihang University Forbidden City

Beijing Foreign Studies Xiang Si December 14 Kangxi and Qianlong as Readers University

Academic Research 49 Academic Lectures in the Palace Museum in 2008

Le c t u r e r Ti m e To p i c

Liu Mengxi March 19 Cultural Identification and Reconstruction of Cultural Traditions

Luo Qing August 5 Cultural Relic Markets in Taiwan and its Cultural Heritage Preservation Law

Learning and Practicing the Scientific Outlook of Development and the Scientific Shan Jixiang October 22 Development of the Cultural Heritage Undertaking

Joseph December 9 Management and Research in the in Washington DC, USA Chang

Academic Salons in the Palace Museum in 2008

Le c t u r e r Ti m e To p i c

Wang Zilin January 18 Fengshui (Geomantic Omens) in the Forbidden City

Wang Xi February 22 Several Questions in Ming Dynasty Court History

Claudine BAUTZE- March 14 Temples in Pagan, Burma and Their Mural Paintings PICRON

50 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Cai Qingliang April 21 A New Approach for Researching and Appraising Jade Ware

Bronze Ware of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in Western Scholars’ Eyes in Recent Su Fangshu April 25 Years

Duan Yong A Survey of Imperial Palace Museums and the Status of the Palace Museum (Deputy Director of the May 23 among Its Counterparts Palace Museum)

Zhang Xin July 11 Tao, Rites and Ritual Vessels

Names and Styles of Gold and Silver Jewelry in the Song, Yuan and Ming Dy- Yang Zhishui August 15 nasties

Luo Suizu September 18 The Forbidden City and Studies on Seals

Preventing Earthquake Damage on Movable and Unmovable Cultural Relics in Zhou Qian October 29 the Palace Museum

Song Lingping November 21 Collation and Research of Archives on Gold Bricks in the Qing Palace

A Study on the Grand Wedding Ceremonies of the Emperors in the Qing Dy- Ren Wanping December 19 nasty

Academic Research 51 52 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Education, Publicity

and Public Service

asdsadadsasd 53 n 2008, the Palace Museum closely coordinated its publicity and educa- Ition with the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. It enhanced its efforts in thematic publicity, education and exhibition promotion, visitor survey and volunteer work and continually strove to improve its services.

1.Thematic publicity and educational activities The third class on knowledge about the The Palace Museum launched a third class on knowledge about the Forbidden City Forbidden City. From the second to the fourth of February during winter vacation, the program, which was organized in the popular form of lectures combined with guided tours along tourist routes, attracted a total of 258 students and parents. Meticulous preparations were made and key content on the Forbidden City was carefully selected to suit the profiles of the stu- dents. Through vivid interpretations, interactions by means of questions and answers, knowledge of the Forbidden City was conveyed to the stu- dents and parents who took part in the event. Conservation expert gives a briefing on Activities related to International Museum Day and Cultural Heri- the achievements of the Palace Museum tage Day were held. On May 18, International Museum Day, the Palace in the research and study of conserva- Museum organized volunteers and middle school students in Beijing to tion technologies on the International Museum Day provide voluntary consultation and interpretation services in front of the Gate of Steadfast Virtue and the Gallery of Clocks and Watches. On June 14, 2008 China celebrated the third Cultural Heritage Day. Centering on the theme — “Cultural heritage should be protected by everyone and the achievements should be shared by everyone”, the museum initiated an edu- cation program entitled “Walking Closer to the Cultural Heritage of the Forbidden City that is being passed down through Scientific Protection”. A lecture entitled “Scientific Protection and Preservation of Techniques in Maintenance and Repair of Ancient Buildings” was followed by a visit to the Ancient Ceramics Test and Research Lab and the Exhibition of the samples of Ancient Kilns and a view of the large virtual reality show — The Forbidden City: the Palace of the Son of Heaven. During the process, visi- tors learned more about how the Palace Museum was protected, exhibi- tions were held and cultural heritage was passed on in a scientific manner. Two lectures and twelve guided tours were provided. On that day, about 250 people participated in the program, among whom were teachers from Tsinghua University and their students, students from colleges and universi- ties and middle schools in Beijing and Palace Museum volunteers.

54 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Participants draw dragon robes of their own

II. Promotion and publicity of exhibitions By encouraging the public to design opening ceremonies and devise advertising schemes for exhibitions, the Palace Museum communicated information on new exhibitions, changes in opening times and other infor- mation in a timely manner via channels like information boards in the mu- seum and advertising outside the museum. Meanwhile, it also enabled the public to get a comprehensive idea of exhibitions by releasing touch-screen interactive programs and videos, which included: “Introduction to Private Treasures of Napoleon” for the exhibition Napoleon and the Louvre in the Touch screen program for the exhibition The Splendors of Imperial Costume Meridian Gate gallery; “List of Donors at the Palace of Great Benevolence and the Cultural Relics they Contributed” at the Palace of Great Benevo- lence; “Court Attire of the Qing Dynasty” and a video The Splendors of Imperial Costume at the Meridian Gate gallery; and “Exhibitions and Service Facilities of the Palace Museum” at the Archery Pavilion. During the ex- hibition “The Splendors of Imperial Costume: Qing Court Attire from the Palace Museum Collection”, the museum launched eleven publicity cam- paigns organizing participants to draw own dragon robes. These campaigns generated extensive interest and attracted about Opening ceremony of the exhibition Napoleon and the Louvre 400 participants including children of Palace Museum staff, students from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, as well as children of personnel in foreign embassies and staff of foreign-invested companies.

Education, Publicity and Public Services 55 Guiding service: visit of the US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson

III. Serving the public Staff at the information desk answers Broadcasting and information services were improved. The broad- questions from a visitor casts consisted of descriptions of the opened areas of the museum, security reminders, emergency diversion and announcements for lost persons. In 2008, the museum delivered the last type of service 4044 times and in- formation service and the service of “finding lost persons via telephone” 260 times. On July 16, the visitor information desks at the Gate of Inspir- ing Virtues and the Gate of Steadfast Virtue were put into service. They provided service to visitors 92,793 times, that is, an average of 250 times a day. Newly installed railings More electronic bulletin screens were installed. After the trial run of the information screen at the box office at the Meridian Gate, six more such screens were installed in 2008－three at both the eastern and western box offices of the Meridian Gate. Now, the messages displayed on these screens have been extented to cover opening times, ticket purchase infor- mance, new exhibits informance and temporary notices. Public service signs were standardized. For the convenience of tour- ists, the Palace Museum carried forward its effort to standardize public

56 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Philip Craven, President of the Interna- tional Paralympic Committee, inspects the barrier-free passages in the Palace Museum

service signs, which was launched at the end of 2007. It also carried on the work to standardize the current descriptive boards for palaces. After a museum-wide survey, 289 boards were set up or replaced. In accordance with the needs of repair and renovation projects, exhibitions, large-scale activities, festivals and so forth, temporary signs were installed in a timely manner. Now, a new effort has been launched to update and improve the descriptive boards for palaces and to renovate the railings in the central tourist area from the north of the Hall of Preserving Harmony to the Impe- rial Garden. Guide services were improved considerably. In order to satisfy the

A Survey of Demographics of Visitors to peak tourist demand during the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, the the Palace Museum (2007.6~2008.5) Palace Museum took a variety of measures such as strengthening its team of guides and adding more languages to the audio-guide service, so that by the start of the Olympic Games, the audio-guide system were able to provide service in forty languages. Barrier-free passages were constructed. Constructing barrier-free pas- sages was an important measure taken by the Palace Museum to fulfill its duty as a institution public service function. Following the principle of ‘en- suring the security of heritage buildings, conserving the surroundings and appearance of ancient buildings and staying out of the major tourist flow’, the museum planned carefully and ensured safety during the construction. On May 18, barrier-free access was officially opened to enable the disabled to access buildings along the central axis, such as the three great halls (the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the and the Hall of Preserving Harmony), the three rear palaces (the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Union and the Palace of Earthly Peace) and the Imperial Gar-

Education, Publicity and Public Services 57 den. In addition, the Red Cross First-Aid Station of the Palace Museum began its service in the first half of 2008. Its service and its effort to spread first-aid knowledge among tourists won universal recognition. A large-scale survey among visitors was completed. Begun in June, 2007, the tourist survey was brought to an end after the three stages of investigation, summarization and analysis. In October, 2008, A Survey of Demographics of Visi- tors to the Palace Museum from June 2007 ~ May 2008 was published. It is the first report of its kind released by the Palace Museum. The detailed statistics provide reference for the Palace Museum’s future development.

Director Zheng Xinmiao with foreign volunteers IV. Volunteer work after presenting work certificates to them

58 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Inception ceremony of barrier-free passages

To further enhance the museum’s volunteer team and attract more participants, the third round of Chinese volunteers and the first round of selection of foreign ones were selected and the candidates trained. After interviews, training and on-site guiding evaluation, thirteen Chinese vol- unteers were chosen to provide free service for visitors in galleries such as Treasures, Clocks, Stone Drums, Bronze Artifacts and Imperial Weddings. The recruiting of foreign volunteers began in late 2007. The first group consisted of twenty volunteer from the United States, the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, Mexico, , the Netherlands, Japan and Singapore. After systematic training, foreign volunteers officially took their posts in June 2008 to disseminating information to visitors. In 2008, there were 180 registered volunteers in the Palace Mu- seum, including 154 providing service in Chinese and thirteen in English, who were of Chinese nationality and thirteen of foreign nationalities. To create opportunities for volunteers to learn more about the history and culture related to the museum, exhibition-related educational lectures and tours were given in the “Xiefang Studio” (Studio of Plucking Fragrance) that was founded for volunteers. To enhance the management of volun- teers, the museum also founded the ‘Palace Museum Volunteers’ Self- Management and Service Committee’ to take charge of their training. The first committee members were recommended and elected by the volunteers themselves. In 2008, the volunteers served 57,528 visitors a total of 5,954 times, for a combined 12,081 hours. Foreign volunteers served 7,107 visitors Education, Publicity and Public Services 59 60 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Digital Palace Museum

asdsadadsasd 61 Video: The Forbidden City is a Museum Video: How the Forbidden City was Constructed

Video: The Architectural Beauty of the Forbidden City Digital program Games in the Forbidden City

he development of the digital platform for cultural display was the main Tpriority of the digital Palace Museum in 2008. This platform played an important supporting role in the museum’s exhibitions. The further develop- ment of the platform and the use of multiple forms of digital projects for cul- tural display — such as videos, electronic guides, interactive games and special programs - enabled visitors to know more about the exhibitions. In 2008 the following digital programs on culture for public viewing were completed: three high-resolution videos The Forbidden City is a Mu- seum, How the Forbidden City was Constructed and The Architectural Beauty of the Forbidden City were designed to acquaint visitors with the palace’s archi- tecture; a digital program Games in the Forbidden City was made in prepara- tion for the Beijing 2008 Olympics; to complement the newly opened Ce- ramics Hall and the Painting and Calligraphy Gallery, four high-resolution videos From Pottery to Porcelain, The Aesthetics of Ancient Ceramics, Appreciating Chinese Paintings and Appreciating were produced; interactive system for providing more information on ceramics, painting and calligraphy, an interactive game titled Recruiting Ceramics In-

62 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Interface of the electronic guide system

Digital Gallery of Paintings and Calligraphic Works A visitor is using the electronic guide system

spectors and an interactive program of calligraphy and painting games. In regards to the development of the digital platform, large LED dis- plays and touch screens were installed on visitor routes at the Gate of Supreme Harmony and in the passages flanking the three throne halls to provide videos, electronic tour information and special digital exhibitions. The electronic guide system installed along museum visitor routes was updated. Complementing the 2008 newly opened painting and calligraphy galleries in the Hall of Martial Visitors watching a video at the Gate of Valor and the Ceramic Hall in the Hall of Literary Brilliance, four support pro- Supreme Harmony grams were implemented including a system to supplement the label informa- tion for the objects on display, high-resolution videos, interactive information systems and interactive games. Meanwhile, a Hall for Experiencing the Digital Palace Museum was set up to the southwest of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the corner building of the surrounding arcade. It provides visitors access to an inter- active program on the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the videos mentioned above (How the Forbidden City was Constructed and The Architectural Beauty of the Forbidden City), the interactive games about calligraphy, painting and ce- Digital Ceramics Hall ramics, high-resolution images of painting and calligraphy and a virtual tour

Digital Palace Museum 63 Hall for Experiencing the Digital Palace Museum

A bird's eye view on the Forbidden City from the Gate of Heavenly Peace in a virtual reality program of the Forbidden City. In regards to the museum’s daily management, an updated collections management system was completed along with an upgraded automated office system for the museum (OA version 3.0). The new collections management system optimizes the functions of the old version and integrated it with the in- formation platform, providing a more scientific management and database. For the museum office automated system (OA version 3.0) many applications were added such as full-text searching of literature, environmental monitoring of gal- lery spaces and video monitoring. After three years’ of gathering and processing basic data, the database of drawings of ancient architecture in the Palace Mu- seum was tested, accepted and put into use. Work on revising the museum’s official website continues. The de- sign for the new version caters to different audiences and provides for four disparate browsing sets: those wanting to visit the museum, those searching for material, those seeking popular information and those seeking academic information. The basic contents of the website will divide into “The Digi- tal Palace” (academic version) and “The Museum in the Forbidden City (popular version)’. The cooperative program with IBM, “The Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time”, was successful. On 10 October 2008, a ceremony was held in the Palace Museum for its initial release. By establishing a virtual Forbidden City (www.beyondspaceandtime.org), the program brings new

64 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Experiencing the Digital Palace Museum

Virtual reality program Hall of Mental Cultivation - architectural structure

Interface of the environmental monitoring system of gallery spaces

3D image of the Hall of Mental Cultivation

experiences to visitors who are unable to visit the palace complex in person. This virtual Forbidden City can be accessed directly via the Internet and can also be viewed in the Hall for Experiencing the Digital Palace Museum southwest of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the surrounding arcade’s corner building. In this newly-established space, visitors can gain new in- sights by viewing a variety of digital media types. The twenty-five-minute virtual reality program titled Hall of Mental Cultiva- tion was started in 2006 and completed in 2008. This virtual reality display-room received 2,696 people in 145 sessions during the year.

Digital Palace Museum 65 66 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum International Exchange and Cooperation

67 The Palace Museum exchanges on clock repair with National Museum van Speelk- lok tot Pierement in the Netherlands

n 2008, the Palace Museum cooperated smoothly with famous mu- I seums from around the world to maintain a high level of international exchange. Successful international exhibitions expanded international ex- changes and cooperation and enhanced the museum’s reputation around the world.

I. International cooperation and exchange Executive Deputy Director signs a letter of intent for exchange and coopera- (I) Signing a letter of intent for exchange and cooperation with tion with Sato Teiichi, Executive Director , Japan of Tokyo National Museum In September 2008, the Palace Museum signed a letter of intent for exchange and cooperation with Tokyo National Museum, establishing a long-term strategic partnership. By then, the museum had signed documents of long-term strategic partnership with six world-renowned museums: the Louvre Museum in France, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the US, the British Museum in the UK, the State Hermitage Museum in Russia and the Dresden State Art Collections of Germany. The signing of these documents has brought the Palace Museum’s international exchange to a new level of prominence. Executive Deputy Director Li Ji signs a letter of intent for exchange and coopera- tion with Sato Teiichi, Executive Director of Tokyo National Museum

68 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Senior officials of the Palace Museum and IBM executives launch The Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time

Experts from the Palace Museum and Na- tional Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement in the Netherlands are working together

(II) Projects in cooperation with the Netherlands, the US and Japan

Seeing the video program In June 2008, the museum signed cooperative exchange agreement for clock repairs with the National Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement in the Netherlands. Both parties agreed to exchange visits from 2008 to 2010. Specialists from the Palace Museum visited the Netherlands for exchange on clock repair in March and November 2008; in May and December, the Palace Museum received visiting specialists from the Dutch museum. It was the first time that the Palace Museum had clocks in its collection repaired in a foreign museum. On October 10, a ceremony was held in the museum for the first- phase release of “The Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time”, a project completed in collaboration with the American company IBM. The project, which has been going on for three years, is a virtual tour of the museum’s ancient architectural complex on the Internet based on a 3-D digital model featuring virtual displays, online games and an online community. The Hall for Experiencing the Digital Palace Museum southwest of the Hall of Su- preme Harmony in the corner building of the arcade is the project’s base in the museum. On November 10, the Palace Museum held the completion ceremo- ny for the Project for the Protection of the Lodge of Retirement together with World Monuments Fund. The project, which took five years, was the first extensive interior decoration protection project since the museum was founded. It has drawn wide attention at home and abroad.

International Exchange and Cooperation 69 In collaboration with Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. of Japan, the museum converted a series of Virtual Reality videos on the Forbidden City into commercial DVDs. In 2008, it successfully turned Parts 1 and 2 of The Forbidden City: the Palace of the Son of Heaven into PCVR videos and a DVD. From July 15 to September 15, the DVD was played in Edo-Tokyo Mu- seum as part of ‘Brush and Ink through the Centuries: Grand Exhibition of Cal- ligraphic Works from the Palace Museum. It was the first time that the m u s e u m ’ s virtual reality videos of ancient architectural heritage were shown abroad and also the first time that the museum co-launched a foreign language ver- sion of an audio-visual product outside of China.

(III) Summer interns from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong From June 23 to July 25, as arranged by the Ministry of Culture, ten students from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong interned in six departments of the museum, namely the Publicity and Education Department, Management of Public Spaces, the library, the Conservation Department, the Legal Office and the Forbidden City Publishing House. During their stay, the museum made full use of its cultural and historical resources to enrich their internship with visits and study tours. These activities, which broadened their horizon and familiarized them with Beijing, were welcomed by the students.

Students from universities in Hong Kong intern in the Palace Museum

70 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Bus advertisement of the exhibition “The Qianlong Emperor and His Court” in Rome

Merchandise of the exhibition “The Qianlong Emperor and His Court” sold at the Meseo del Corso in Italy

Deputy Director Duan Yong attends the closing ceremony of “Witness the Qing II. Exhibitions outside China Empire: A Special Exhibition of Cultural 1.“The Qianlong Emperor and His Court” in Italy Relics from the Palace Museum” in Macao ※Time: November 20, 2007 ~ March 20, 2008 ※Venue: Meseo del Corso ※Number of exhibits: 120 Consisting of four sections “Codes of the Qing Court”, “Court Life”, “Obsession of the Court with Western Arts and Crafts” and “Painters from Italy”, the exhibition presented visitors with example of grand court cere- monies from the Qing dynasty; displayed the material, cultural and religious life of the Qing court and provided information concerning the boom of cultural exchange. between China and Western countries at that time, as well as the impact of Western technology on China. It also exhibited the paintings by Italian artist Giuseppe Castiglione who was then in the service of the Qing court.

2. “Witness the Qing Empire: A Special Exhibition of Cultural Relics from the Palace Museum” in Macao ※Time: December 14, 2007 ~ March 17, 2008 ※Venue: Macao Museum of Art ※Number of exhibits: 120

International Exchange and Cooperation 71 This exhibition showed the history of the Qing dynasty with a selec- tion from the museum’s large collection of Qing relics. The exhibits, which were classified into the calegories of paintings and calligraphic works, books, porcelains, textiles, dresses, military equipment, seals and scientific instru- ments, gave visitors a rich, lively picture of Qing history that included poli- tics, economics, military affairs, science and technology, culture, art, ethnic affairs and diplomacy.

3. “Brush and Ink through the Centuries: a Grand Exhibition of Calligraphic Works in the Palace Museum’s Collection” in the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Japan ※Time: July 15 ~ September 15, 2008 ※Venue: Edo-Tokyo Museum in Tokyo, Japan ※Number of exhibits: 65 “Brush and Ink through the Centuries: a Grand Exhibition of Cal- ligraphic Works in the Palace Museum’s Collection in the Edo-Tokyo Museum” — an exhibition held by the Palace Museum in the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Tokyo, Japan — was praised as a great event in the history of Si- no-Japanese exchange in calligraphy. During the two months of exhibition was open, it received 150,000 visitors. In particular, Yasuo Fukuda, Japanese Prime Minister, made a special tour.

“Brush and Ink through Centuries: a Grand Exhibition of Calligraphic Works in the Palace Museum’s Collection” in the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Japan

72 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum 4. “Golden Dragon and White Eagle: Arts and Power at the Courts of Chinese Emperors and Saxon-Polish Rulers (1644 ~ 1795)” (an exhibition jointly held by the Palace Museum and the Dresden State Art Collections of Germany) ※Time: October 11, 2008 ~ January 11, 2009 ※Place: Dresden State Art Collections of Germany ※Number of exhibits: 120 On June 24, 2007, the Palace Museum and the Dresden State Art Collections of Germany signed a letter of intent on the joint exhibition Deputy Director Duan Yong making a speech at the opening ceremony pf titled “The Golden Dragon and White Eagle: Arts and Power at the Courts “Golden Dragon and white Eagle” of Chinese Emperors and Saxon-Polish Rulers (1644 ~ 1795)” and on strengthening academic and technological collaboration between the two institutions through expert exchanges. This agreement was reached in the framework of the cultural cooperation agreement co-signed on Novem- ber 10, 2005 by the governments of the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Germany, which received support from Chinese President Hu Jintao and German President Horst Koehler. Over 400 pre- cious court relics dating from 17th- to 18th-century from the collections of the two museums were exhibited, which formed a vivid picture of court politics, culture and art in the two countries and presented a relatively clear image of the Saxon-Polish court and the 18th century Qing dynasty. Deputy Director Jin Hongkui attends the opening ceremony of “Ryukyu Kingdom Relics in the Palace Museum” in Okinawa 5. “Ryukyu Kingdom Relics in the Palace Museum” in Prefectural Museum in Japan Okinawa Prefectural Museum in Japan ※Time: November 1 ~ December 21, 2008 ※Venue: Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Japan ※Number of exhibits: 91 The cultural relics in this exhibition included lacquer ware, calligraph- ic works and paintings, weapons, textiles and rare books. Of these artifacts, the lacquer ware, clothing and swords had distinctive local features of the Ryukyu Kingdom and most of them were tributes to the Chinese court. From different angles, they presented visitors the local customs and prac- tices, local specialties and life of the Ryukyu Kingdom, as well as the titles The Palace Museum delegation with Japa- conferred on it by the Qing dynasty. They are of great historical value. nese colleagues in front of the Okinawa Prefectural Museum in Japan

International Exchange and Cooperation 73 6. “The Dragon’s Stage: Chinese Opera Artifacts from the Palace Museum” in Macao ※Time: December 12, 2008 ~ March 15, 2009 ※Venue: Macao Museum of Art ※Number of exhibits: 178 With the evolution of the art of opera at the Qing court serving as the thread, this exhibition displayed selected objects related to opera activi- ties in the Qing court. Costumes, stage properties, scripts, opera paintings, calligraphic works and paintings, porcelains and all demonstrated to visitors the characteristics of Qing court opera performances from different angles and at different levels.

7. “The 11th Exhibition of Chinese Court Relics from the Palace Museum” at the Confucius Temple (Koushi-byo) and Historical Museum of China in Nagasaki, Japan Deputy Director Li Wenru speaks at the ※Time: June 2008 ~ May 2010 opening ceremony of “The Dragon’s ※Venue: The Confucius Temple (Koushi-byo) and Historical Museum of Stage: Chinese Opera Artifacts from the China in Japan Palace Museum” in Macao ※Number of exhibits: 60 The Nagasaki Confucian Temple was built in 1893 with funding from some Chinese citizens living in Japan. The building was under the jurisdiction of Taiwan until the relations between China and Japan were normalized, when, thanks to the joint effort of Tokyo Overseas Chinese As- sociation and the Kyushu Overseas Chinese Association, the Japanese gov- ernment decided that the temple was the national property of the People’s Republic of China in Japan. As a result of Mr. Liao Chengzhi’s support and efforts, the Historical Museum of China was built there in 1980. This series Display of artifacts at the Confucius Temple of regular exhibitions, collectively referred to as “Court Relics from the (Koushi-byo) and Historical Museum of China in Nagasaki, Japan Palace Museum”, has been held there once every two years since 1988. The 2008 exhibition was titled “Fragrance of Tea — Court Tea Utensils of the Qing Dynasty from the Palace Museum”.

74 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum 8. Exhibition of Carpets at the Nabeshima Dentsu Art Museum in Saga, Japan (participant) ※Time: October 20, 2008 ~ January 18, 2009 ※Venue: Nabeshima Dentsu Art Museum ※Number of exhibits: 2

9. “Secrets Unveiled: Images from the Forbidden City” at Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in Japan (participant) Installation of Exhibition of Carpets at the Na- beshima Dentsu Art Museum in Saga, Japan ※Time: March 29 ~ April 27, 2008 (with the Palace Museum as a participant) ※Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in Japan ※Number of exhibits: 19 Secrets Unveiled: Images from the Forbidden City, was designed following the inspiration of One Hundred Years of the Palace Museum — a large album compiled and published by the Palace Museum’s Forbidden City Publishing House. The exhibition was jointly organized by the Asahi Shimbun and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. The success of this exhibition resulted from the Palace Museum’s attempt have use a new form of over- seas cooperation. That an exhibition of this scale could be held successfully

“Secrets Unveiled: Images from the without the Palace Museum contributing any artifacts not only proved the Forbidden City” at Tokyo Metropolitan influence of the Palace Museum and the Forbidden City Studies, but also Museum of Photography in Japan (with created a new means of overseas cooperation. the Palace Museum as a participant) 10. “Great Romance of the Three Kingdoms” in Japan (participant) ※Time: May 3, 2008 ~ February 1, 2009 ※Venue: Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, Fukuoka, Hokkaido and Kochi ※Number of exhibits: 18 This thematic exhibition displayed 259 valuable cultural relics drawn from thirty-five Chinese museums. The exhibits provided by the Palace

Installation of the exhibition “Great Museum compared favorably with those of its peers. Consisting of two Romance of the Three Kingdoms” in Japan parts, i.e., ‘literary works and paintings’ and ‘excavated items’, the exhibition (with the Palace Museum as a participant) attracted nearly 300,000 visitors at its first stop, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, during two and a half months.

International Exchange and Cooperation 75 11. “Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty” in the United States (participant) ※Time: June 27 ~ Sept. 21, 2008; Oct. 26, 2008 ~ Jan. 11, 2009; Feb. 18 ~ May 17, 2009 ※Venues: Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Indianapolis Museum of Art, St. Louis Art Museum ※Number of exhibits: 65 In response to the invitation of the Asian Art Museum of San Fran- Posters of the exhibition “Power & Glory: cisco, the Palace Museum, Municipal Museum and Shanghai Mu- Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty” (with seum held an exhibition tour entitled Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty the Palace Museum as a participant) at in the United States. The first stop was in San Francisco from June 27 to the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco September 21, 2008, its second at the Indianapolis Museum of Art from October 26, 2008 to January 11, 2009 and its third at the St. Louis Art Museum from February 18 to May 17, 2009. Altogether 120 pieces (sets) of cultural relics were exhibited. The Palace Museum lent paintings, textile, furniture, lacquer ware, bamboo and wood carvings, enamel, porcelain, jade and bronze ware. The artifacts reflected the history, culture and art of the Ming dynasty from different perspectives.

12. “Horses in Chinese History” at Hong Kong Museum of Deputy Director Li Wenru speaks at the History (participant) opening of the exhibition “Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty” (with ※Time: July 16 ~ October 13, 2008 the Palace Museum as a participant) ※Venue: Hong Kong Museum of History ※Number of exhibits: 1 In order to celebrate the Olympic equestrian events held in Hong Kong, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage held at the Hong Kong Museum of History an exhibition called ‘Horses in Chinese History’, to which the Palace Museum contributed a hanging scroll The Steed (Ying jizi tu) by Giuseppe Castiglione of the Qing dynasty.

76 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum “Landscapes Clear and Radiant: The Art of Wang Hui (1632~1717)” at the Metro- politan Museum of Art, New York (with the Palace Museum as a participant)

“Landscapes Clear and Radiant: The Art of Wang Hui (1632~1717)” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (with the Palace Museum as a participant)

13. “Landscapes Clear and Radiant: The Art of Wang Hui (1632 ~ 1717)” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (participant) ※Time: September 9, 2008 ~ January 4, 2009 ※Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City ※Number of exhibits: 4 The exhibition, hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, included twenty-seven of Wang Hui’s paintings from the Palace Mu- seum, Shanghai Museum, the National Palace Museum in Taipei, the Met- ropolitan Museum of Art and other collectors in North America.

14. “Decoration and the Art of Perfection—an Exhibition of Furnishings” at the National Palace Museum of Korea (participant) ※Time: September 5 ~ November 2, 2008 ※Venue: National Palace Museum of Korea ※Number of exhibits: 11 Deputy Director Ji Tianbin cuts the ribbon The Palace Museum primarily lent calligraphic works and paintings, for “Decoration and the Art of Perfec- as well as objects such as furniture, handicraft and textile that reflect tradi- tion—an Exhibition of Furnishings” at the National Palace Museum of Korea tional of furnishings. Jointly organized by China, Korea and Ja- (with the Palace Museum as a participant) pan, the exhibition received great attention from all parties and roused wide social interest.

International Exchange and Cooperation 77 Opening of the exhibition “Napoleon et le Louvre” from France

III. Incoming Exhibitions 1. “Napoleon et le Louvre” from France ※Time: April 4 ~ July 4, 2008 ※Venue: Meridian Gate of the Palace Museum ※Number of exhibits: 100 This exhibition, which marked the beginning of the 2008 “Sino- French Cultural Exchange Spring”, included exhibits such as , oil Visitors at the exhibition “Napoleon et le paintings, woodblocks and handicrafts and mainly reflected the politics, mil- Louvre” in the Meridian Gate Gallery itary, art and family life during the Napoleonic era. Henri Loyrette (Director of the Louvre Museum), Hervé Ladsous (French Ambassador to China) and Zheng Xinmiao (Vice Minister of Culture and Director of the Palace Mu- seum) were present at the opening ceremony. On the very afternoon after the opening ceremony ended, Mr. Henri Loyrette and Ms. Isabelle Leroy- Jay Lemaistre, curator of the exhibition, lectured in the Palace Museum’s lecture hall, introducing the Louvre Museum and the exhibition.

78 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Director Zheng Xinmiao speaks at the opening of the exhibition “Jao Tsung-I’s Art and Scholarship”

“Workshop on Jao Tsung-I’s Art and Scholarship” held in the Palace Museum

2. “Jao Tsung-I’s Art and Scholarship” from Hong Kong Deputy Director Li Wenru and Japanese Time: October 29 ~ November 12, 2008 Ambassador to China H. E. Mr. Yuji Miya- ※ moto at the opening of “2008 China”— ※Venue: Exhibition Hall of the Gate of Divine Prowess, Palace Museum Chinese and Japanese Photography ※Number of exhibits: 53 Exchange Exhibition This exhibition was jointly organized by the Palace Museum and the University of Hong Kong. At the opening ceremony, Prof. Jao Tsung-I donated ten of his works to the Palace Museum and the Palace Museum released two books on this distinguished artist and professor, Collection of Jao Tsung-I’s Works and Collection of Jao Tsung-I’s Calligraphic and Paintings. This one-man exhibition was one of the few held for a contemporary painter and the first one-man exhibition for a Hong Kong painter at the museum.

3. “2008 China”—Chinese and Japanese Photography “2008 China”—Chinese and Japanese Exchange Exhibition Photography Exchange Exhibition in the Ex- hibition Hall of the Gate of Divine Prowess ※Time: November 27 ~ December 7, 2008 ※Venue: Exhibition Hall of the Gate of Divine Prowess, Palace Museum Organized by the All-China Youth Federation in collaboration with the Sino-Japan Youth Exchange Center, the Japan-China Photography Cul- tural Exchange Association and the Palace Museum, this exhibition was one of the important events celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the Sino- Japanese Treaty for Peace and Friendship and to mark the “China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Year”. It enhanced the cultural exchange between Chinese and Japanese youth and the friendly ties between China and Japan.

International Exchange and Cooperation 79 Director Zheng Xinmiao presents a Palace Museum catalogue in English to Honorary IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch

IV. Receptions and visits 1. Reception of foreign tourists and celebrities In 2008, as the administrator of the renowned World Cultural Heritage Site-the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum received a large number of officials, politicians and cultural celebrities from around the world. During the year, it received nearly a thousand foreign heads of states and government leaders in thirty-one groups and 1.5 million for- eign visitors.

2. Travel for Study and Exchange In 2008, the Palace Museum sent thirty-eight people to the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Republic of Korea, Canada, Ja- pan and Taiwan for participation in academic exchanges. Museum research- ers took part in the Third International Symposium on the Preservation of Architectural Polychrome Painting organized by the College of Architec- ture, Columbia University in New York, technical training on wood protec- tion in Norway, the international meeting held by ICOMOS in Canada and the “2008 Scientific and Technical Protection of Cultural Heritage” symposium held in the Republic of Korea. They sent delegations to France, Executive Deputy Director Li Ji meets Vice- Italy and Germany to negotiate book publishing and to attend the Sixti- Minister of Culture in charge of cultural eth Frankfurt Book Fair as well as academic exchanges in Germany’s Max heritage of Ecuador Plank Institute for the History of Science. The interchanges with museum counterparts in the outside world have expanded the museum’s interna- tional influence and stimulated its academic and research work. Meanwhile, to better learn from the experience of visiting foreign museums and world heritage sites and enhance relationships with them, the

80 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Deputy Director Jin Hongkui meets a delegation of national museum directors from six Eurasian countries

museum sent delegations to Switzerland, France and Germany to exchange exhibition programs, to conduct survey on museum operation and manage- ment in the US, to study the protection of immovable relics in Italy at the invitation of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and to visit and study in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. Invited by E c u a d o r ’ s Cultural Ministry and Peru’s Museum Association, a delegation from the Museum visited some archaeological relics and World Heritage sites in both countries, further making clear the museum’s intent to cooperate on pro- Executive Deputy Director Li Ji meets officials of the Department of Cultural tecting cultural relics. It also gave lectures fully introducing the Palace Mu- Heritage Protection of the National seum to the Chinese embassy staff in both countries. Cultural Commission of Peru

International Exchange and Cooperation 81 82 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum Financial Statements

83 I. Income Unit: RMB 10,000

Item Incurred in the year Remark

Financial Subsidy 29,590.00

Subsidy from Supervising Depart- － ment

Ticket Income －

Operational Income 5,402.36

Income from Subsidiary Units 3,623.20

Other Income 553.89

Total 39,169.44

84 Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum II. Expenses Unit: RMB 10,000

Item Incurred in the year Remark

Organizational Expenses 33,052.83

Regular expenses 16,600.00

Project expenses 16,452.83

Conservation of historical architecture 9,600.22

Preservation and conservation of the Palace 1,420.03 Museum collections

Digitization of the Palace Museum 1,394.90

Acquisition of cultural relics 181.53

Maintenance of security and fire-prevention 679.93 Devices

Exhibitions, publicity and education 2,953.85

Research on architectural glazed tiles 222.38

Operational expenses 4,357.78

Operational Tax 233.01

Disbursements to superiors －

Total 37,643.62

Financial Statements 85

The Editing committee of The Palace Museum ※Director: Zheng Xinmiao (Vice Minister of Culture) ※Deputy Director: Li Ji ※members: Li Wenru, Jin Hongkui, Ji Tianbin, Wang Yamin, Chen Lihua, Duan Yong

Team for Compilation ※Chief: Feng Naien ※Assistant Chief: Zhu Hongwen ※Editor: Chen Qiusu 图书在版编目（C I P）数据 故宫博物院年鉴. 2008＝Annual Report 2008 of The Palace Museum：英文／故宫博物院编.—北京：紫禁城 出版社，2009.9 ISBN 978-7-80047-874-1

I. 故… Ⅱ.故… Ⅲ.故宫博物院－2008－年鉴－英文 Ⅳ.G269.263-54 中国版本图书馆CIP数据核字（2009）第171680号

Annual Report 2008 of The palace Museum

Edited by the Palace Museum The Forbidden City Publishing House

The Palace Museum's Yard, 4 scenic hill Road, Beijing, 10009 Tel: 010-85007818 010-85007816 Email: [email protected]

Typeset and Printed by Beijing Artron Colour Printing Co.,Ltd Format: 190×270 mm First Published 2009 ISBN 978-7-80047-874-1 Price: ¥ 78.00

2008年故宫博物院年鉴（英文）

故宫博物院 编

责任编辑：王冠良 装帧设计：李 猛 出版发行：紫禁城出版社 地址：北京东城区景山前街4号 邮编：100009 电话：010-85007818 010-85007816 传真：010-65263565 邮箱：[email protected] 制版印刷：北京雅昌彩色印刷有限公司 开 本：787×1092毫米 1/16 印 张：5.5 版 次：2009年9月第1版 2009年9月第1次印刷 书 号：ISBN 978-7-80047-874-1 定 价：78.00元