This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Museum under the Cultural Affairs Bureau. In celebration of this special occasion, the Museum is hosting the Fantasy World – Chinoiserie exhibition, with an opening ceremony taking place in Mount Fortress Garden at 5:00pm on Friday 24th May 2013 (in event of rain, ceremony enacted in ticket office lobby). On the day of the opening ceremony, Macao Museum ticket office will close at 3:00pm.

The exhibition focuses on the Chinoiserie in Europe, prevalent from the 17th to 18th Century, via the showcasing of artefacts, so that exhibition-goers may understand the great interest of Europeans in emulating the culture of Chinese art, and adding Chinese elements to their art form and lifestyle. In order to encourage and thank the institutions and individuals who donated important relics to Macao Museum, a donation certificate presentation ceremony will be held in the venue in appreciation and recognition of the outstanding contribution made by five individuals to the cultural relics and museum industry in the Macao SAR in recent years.

From the mid-Ming Dynasty, European missionaries journeyed to China, bringing back with them to Europe Chinese philosophy, religion, science, technology and art, which led to a long era of Chinoiserie and enthusiasm for Chinese goods, Chinese artistic style and lifestyle. This trend took root in France during the reign of Louis XIV and consequently had far-reaching impact on the variety of art and culture in France. In order to trace the origins of Chinoiserie and its influences upon France, 80 exhibits will be displayed in three separate sections.

The first section – “The Rise of Chinoiserie in the Reign of Louis XIV” - focuses on the Chinese ceramics of that period, and presents the beginnings of Chinoiserie and its rise through valuable items. The second section – namely, “The Golden Age of Chinoiserie” - will display various ceramics, printmaking items and oil paintings emulating Chinese art culture, with strong Chinese characteristics. The last section – “Chinoiserie and the Rise of Neo-Classicism” - represents the widespread employment of Chinoiserie in terms of creative conceptualization in France and the United Kingdom, and its downfall from the golden period via the showcasing of ceramics, printmaking, a huge tapestry which was produced in that period, and a set of four large vases.

Some exhibition items have arrived on loan from the Cité de la Céramique- Sèvres et Limoges, Les Arts Décoratifs – Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris), Musée du Louvre -Département des Arts Graphiques, Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’Archéologie (Besançon) and some lent by Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A.

In addition, multimedia presentations, an educational area and game area will help the public obtain a comprehensive understanding of the exhibition. The organiser held a pre-show talk entitled “International Trade and Chinoiserie” in mid-March for tour guides and invited Xu Xin to speak, the rich content of which had significant reference value.

A public English language lecture – “Experts of 18th Century European Decorative Art” - will be delivered from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday 25th May. The Museum has invited Thibaut Wolvesperges, a French art historian and an Associate Professor of La Sorbonne in Paris, to speak. All are welcome to apply for attendance. As seating is limited, please reserve in advance by contacting Ms. Leong on Tel: (853) 8394 1218.

The exhibition is open to the public from 25th May to 18th August (closed on Mondays). During the exhibition period, guided tour services are available, with organisations and schools welcome to register. Local residents can visit for free on Sundays with valid Macao ID or student ID.