Hongkongers are being treated to a rare joint exhibition of prized French and Chinese artefacts in a show that experts have said shines the light on past exchanges but also indicates a possible readiness to strengthen ties through dialogue.
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Laurent Salome, director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, told the Post how the exhibition showed the progress from cliches in the artistic work of both countries – such as depictions of people that do not resemble reality – to an in-depth understanding of craftsmanship and know-how.
The exhibition, titled “The Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles: China-France Cultural Encounters in the 17th and 18th Centuries” and which opened last week at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, also set out to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“You see the attempts in France to create porcelain to imitate the great tradition of porcelain making from China … They’re not just trying to imitate Chinese objects, they are trying to recreate the delicacy of the porcelain, the simplicity of the shape, the elegance,” he said.
“It’s also a matter of emulation or rivalry in a way, but in a very positive way. It makes everybody improve on both sides – the technique of enamel, porcelain, polishing, painting, it’s all been very productive,” Salome said.
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Marie-Laure de Rochebrune, general heritage curator at the Palace of Versailles, highlighted a pair of pink porcelain vases that were produced in France and gifted to the Qing court.