March 6, 2014 at 9:00 am
A Journey Into the Forbidden City
ROM exhibit invites you to step inside the world of imperial China.
By
Jamie Bradburn • Photos by Corbin Smith
308767 <b>Model of the Forbidden City.</b> 20140306forbiddencitymodel https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306forbiddencitymodel-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306forbiddencitymodel-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306forbiddencitymodel.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":4.8,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394016500,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"66","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.022222222222222"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306forbiddencitymodel/ 20140306forbiddencitymodel 0 0
308768 <b>Imperial Throne set</b>. Lacquered wood, jade, and other material. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. 20140306imperialthrone https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306imperialthrone-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306imperialthrone-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306imperialthrone.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017067,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"32","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.022222222222222"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306imperialthrone/ 20140306imperialthrone 0 0
308769 <b>Jar with 10,000 shou characters</b>. Porcelain with underglaze blue. Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and period. 20140306jar https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306jar-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306jar-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306jar.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017101,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"26","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.022222222222222"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306jar/ 20140306jar 0 0
308770 <b>Ceremonial armour</b>. Cotton-padded, silk satin, copper studs, metal plate. Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period. 20140306ceremonialarmour https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306ceremonialarmour-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306ceremonialarmour-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306ceremonialarmour.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017169,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"70","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306ceremonialarmour/ 20140306ceremonialarmour 0 0
308771 <b>Bell set</b>. Gilt bronze and wood. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. 20140306bellset https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306bellset-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306bellset-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306bellset.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017275,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306bellset/ 20140306bellset 0 0
308772 <b>Vase with 100 bats</b>. Porcelain with red and blue-green enamels. Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period. 20140306batvase https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306batvase-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306batvase-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306batvase.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":4,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017999,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"55","iso":"2200","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306batvase/ 20140306batvase 0 0
308775 <b>Child emperor's ceremonial robe (chaofu) used by Emperor Tongzhi in 1861</b>. Embroidered silk and fur. Qing dynasty, Tongzhi period. 20140306childrobe https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306childrobe-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306childrobe-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306childrobe.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017469,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"32","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.022222222222222"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306childrobe/ 20140306childrobe 0 0
308773 <b>Portrait of Emperor Yongzheng in Western Costume</b>. Anonymous court painter, oil on paper. Qing dynasty. 20140306yongzheng https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306yongzheng-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306yongzheng-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306yongzheng.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394018158,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"55","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306yongzheng/ 20140306yongzheng 0 0
308774 <b>Chicken cup</b>. Porcelain. Ming dynasty, Chenghua mark and period. 20140306chickencup https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306chickencup-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306chickencup-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306chickencup.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":4,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017912,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"70","iso":"2200","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306chickencup/ 20140306chickencup 0 0
308776 <b>Coffee set</b>. Silver. Qing dynasty, late 18th century. 20140306coffeeset https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306coffeeset-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306coffeeset-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306coffeeset.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":4.8,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017659,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"52","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.022222222222222"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306coffeeset/ 20140306coffeeset 0 0
308777 <b>Imperial dog's outfit</b>. Silk brocade. Qing dynasty, Guangxu period. 20140306dog https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306dog-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306dog-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306dog.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017598,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"36","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306dog/ 20140306dog 0 0
308778 <b>Flask</b>. Cloisonne enamel on gilt copper. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. 20140306flask https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306flask-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306flask-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306flask.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":8,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394018238,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"55","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.066666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306flask/ 20140306flask 0 0
308779 <b>Ice box</b>. Cypress wood, metal fittings and lining. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. 20140306icebox https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306icebox-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306icebox-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306icebox.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017783,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"29","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306icebox/ 20140306icebox 0 0
308780 <b>Sedan chair</b>. Gilt and lacquered wood. Qing dynasty. 20140306sedanchair https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306sedanchair-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306sedanchair-640x426.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140306sedanchair.jpg 640 426 {"aperture":3.3,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1394017731,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"66","iso":"6400","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333"} https://torontoist.com/2014/03/a-journey-into-the-forbidden-city/slide/20140306sedanchair/ 20140306sedanchair 0 0
The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors
Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park )
March 8, 2014 to September 1, 2014
$27 adult admisssion
If The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors has a mascot, it’s Emperor Yongzheng . The image of the 18th-century Chinese ruler dominates the promotional material of the exhibition, which is one of the centrepieces of the Royal Ontario Museum’s centennial year. His portrait certainly has visual appeal, but Yongzheng is also a figure associated with surprising elements of life within the former imperial palace.
Take, for example, a painting depicting Yongzheng bewigged and dressed in the style of King Louis XIV of France. Such costuming likely provided Yongzheng with a respite from his daily duties—according to the exhibit, his motto was “being ruler is tough.” While we’re used to seeing Western society adopt Eastern influences in its arts and fashion, it’s less common to view the reverse in action prior to the late 19th century. As contact increased with Europeans, the imperial court grew fascinated with elements of Western lifestyle: on display here is a miniature coffee set, whose tiny cups hint that courtesans might not have enjoyed drinking freshly brewed joe, but found the rituals surrounding its consumption intriguing. Travellers and Christian missionaries became part of the court, developing into artisans who blended elements of East and West in their work.
The exhibit, which was announced last October , is dominated by the warm reds and yellows associated with the Chinese royal court. The displays reveal the arts, personalities, and rituals associated with the Ming and Qing dynasties—along with items ranging from tiny, delicate chicken cups to large orchestral instruments, the exhibit includes animated vignettes of court life inspired by shadow puppetry. The interpretive plaques offer the proper pronunciation for the names of prominent rulers, which taught us we’ve been saying “last emperor” Puyi ’s name wrong for years (it’s “Fu-yee”).
Appreciating the historical cross-cultural relationships evident in the exhibit, a collaboration between the ROM and Beijing’s Palace Museum , has value for us today, says Chinese ambassador to Canada Zhang Junsai: at yesterday’s media preview, he discussed the fact that, ideally, cultural exchanges like The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors promote harmony by creating respect for and understanding of our historical and cultural differences.
Filed under Forbidden City , art , China , corbin smith , culture , museums , puyi , ROM , Royal Ontario Museum , the forbidden city inside the court of china's emperors , yongzheng