Chinese Collections
In the first half of the 20th century, the museum focused primarily on ancient Chinese art. In the 1950s, it began to include modern painting. Today, thanks notably to donations, the museum is enriching its collections of both ancient and contemporary art.
Prehistoric China
From around 8000 BC, different cultures with quite distinct characteristics evolved. The western Yangshao culture and the eastern Longshan culture are well represented in the museum’s collections.
From around 8000 BC, different cultures with quite distinct characteristics evolved. The western Yangshao culture and the eastern Longshan culture are well represented in the museum’s collections.
Ancient China
Ancient China is the term applied to the period extending from the earliest appearance of ritual vases at the Erlitou site (1700-1500 BC) to the accession of the First Emperor in 206 BC. It covers the historic royal Shang dynasty (1550-1050 BC) and Zhou dynasty (1050-256 BC).
Ancient China is the term applied to the period extending from the earliest appearance of ritual vases at the Erlitou site (1700-1500 BC) to the accession of the First Emperor in 206 BC. It covers the historic royal Shang dynasty (1550-1050 BC) and Zhou dynasty (1050-256 BC).
Imperial China
Imperial China covers a period of more than two millennia, from the accession of the First Emperor in 206 BC to the revolution of 1911. This period saw phases of union and divisions of the territory, the northern regions of which were often under pressure from the steppe populations.
Imperial China covers a period of more than two millennia, from the accession of the First Emperor in 206 BC to the revolution of 1911. This period saw phases of union and divisions of the territory, the northern regions of which were often under pressure from the steppe populations.
The Republic founded in 1912 faced numerous difficulties. In 1949, the Communist party won control from the Nationalist forces. In the course of this turbulent period, Chinese artists renewed the traditional artistic vocabulary and adapted Western techniques.
