Taiwan’s National Palace Museum will stage “The Emperor Kangxi and the Sun King Louis XIV” exhibition in October, highlighting cultural and scientific exchanges between the East and West, the NPM announced April 29.
“The exhibit allows visitors to gain a better understanding of the role missionaries played in this intermingling of cultures in the 17th and 18th centuries,” NPM Director Chou Kung-shin said.
On display will be books and letters by French missionaries, Chinese scientific instruments built using European technology, and French china made in the style prevalent during Kangxi’s rule, she said.
“We hope our collections and collaborative efforts with international partners can make the NPM a valuable educational center,” Chou said.
According to Chou, 70 artifacts from 13 French institutions, including the Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles, will be lent to Taiwan.
Running from Oct. 2 to Jan. 3, 2012, the exhibition also features retrospectives on the reigns of Kangxi (1662-1722) and Louis XIV (1643-1715), Chou said. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw