Giuseppe Castiglione (Italian, 1688–1766) and others (Chinese), Portraits of the Qianlong Emperor and His Twelve Consorts (detail), 1736–70s, Handscroll, ink and color on silk, painting: 53 x 688.3 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund, 1969.31

Cleveland Museum of Art
China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta
Closing Sunday, January 7, 2024

These are the last few days to catch China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta, the first exhibition in the West focusing on the artistic production and cultural impact of a region located in the coastal area south of the Yangzi River. Called Jiangnan, this region has throughout large parts of its history been one of the wealthiest, most populous, and fertile lands. Art from Jiangnan—home to such great cities as Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Nanjing, as well as to hilly picturesque landscapes stretched along rivers and lakes—has defined the image of traditional China for the world.

The exhibition features more than 200 objects from Neolithic times to the 18th century, ranging from jade, silk, prints, and paintings to porcelain, lacquer, and bamboo carvings. Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta explores how this region gained a leading role in China’s artistic production and how it succeeded in setting cultural standards.

Learn more and reserve your timed tickets here.

Also be sure to view our recent webinar with curator Dr. Clarissa Von Spee where she provided historical context and fascinating insights into this exhibition.