CONFUCIUS: His Life and Legacy in Art
February 11—June 13, 2010
Although the arts of Buddhism and Daoism are well known, the study of art forms related to Confucianism is only just beginning. Confucianism, a philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius (551 BCE – 479 BCE), pervades the customs of many Asian cultures from ancient times to the present day, but we are left to wonder, who is Confucius? In this ground-breaking exhibition, intriguing aspects of Confucius and Confucianism are explored through material and visual culture, explaining his teachings and ritual practices. Selected from the Shandong Provincial Museum and the Confucius Museum in Qufu, Shandong, the hometown of Confucius, this group of artworks, including paintings, bronzes, jades, books, costumes, stone carvings, and enamel vessels represent the first exhibition organized in the United States that illuminates Confucius as an historical figure and how he has been venerated for the past 2,000 years. A fully illustrated scholarly catalogue accompanies the exhibition. The exhibition is directed by Willow Hai Chang, Director of China Institute Gallery, and co-curated by Lu Wensheng, Director of the Shandong Provincial Museum, and Julia K. Murray, Professor of Art History and East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin. For various press coverage, please visit the following links: