Everywhere: Articles: China's Unknown Masterpieces

Buddha by Mary Ann Lewis

A 240 cm statue of a Buddha in the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi during the China: at the Court of the Emperors exhibition in Florence, Italy. This statue is linked to Empress Wu Zetian, the only female sovereign to rule in Chinese history.

China: at the Court of the Emperors is the name of the current exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi located between Piazza Strozzi and via Tornabuoni in the historical center of Florence, Italy. Upon entering the courtyard, which is open to the public, is a 240 cm statue of a Buddha which left me overwhelmed by its immensity. The statue is linked to Empress Wu Zetian (690 - 705), the only female sovereign to rule in Chinese history. Behind the Buddha, illuminating the courtyard of the palazzo, is a unique light sculpture entitled Artificial Moon by Wang Yu Yang. The mixture of modern and historical art make a very stunning combination and it is almost like walking into another world.

The exhibition, shown for the first time in Europe, contains over 200 masterpieces from the Han to the Tang dynasties (25 - 907), some of which have recently been discovered and have never been shown even in China. The masterpieces representing the Golden Age of Chinese history include glassware, sculptures, jewelery, ceramics and frescoes and occupy eight rooms designed by Romeo Gigli. Its artistic and cultural value is comparable to the Florentine Renaissance.

The exhibition, China: at the Court of the Emperors, is from March 7 to June 8, 2008. It’s really worth seeing!

Palazzo Strozzi
Piazza Strozzi
50123 Firenze

tel +39 055 27 76 461/06
info@fondazionepalazzostrozzi.it

http://www.fondazionepalazzostrozzi.it/