Who said that beauty was the sister of vanity? Certainly not the ladies of the Ming Dynasty! Sumptuous gold ornaments, vases set with jade, hairpins and scepters encrusted with rubies and sapphires... Contemporary with the Italian Renaissance, this dynasty inaugurated an era of great artistic and cultural wealth, of which the treasures of this scintillating exhibition are valuable witnesses. Through a splendid exploration of the feminine aesthetics of this era, we discover the importance of gold, a privilege reserved for the emperor's entourage. Whether it takes the form of flowers, mythological creatures or symbolic animals, the precious metal with its warm reflections represents above all the summit of refinement, wealth... and power. The ladies of the court, adorned with these marvels, do not have the sole aim of being beautiful: each of these treasures is a silent but powerful affirmation of their rank and their proximity to imperial power. If, shining throughout the century down to us, the gold of the Ming dynasty is a relic of the splendor of Chinese history, it reminds us above all of the power of beauty, which is never purely decorative. .

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ARTS - GUIMET
From September 18, 2024 to January 13, 2025
6 pl. d'Iéna, 75016 - M° Iéna (9)
Wed. to Mon. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Price: €13 - TR: €10 - Free - 26 years old