Asian Bronze in the Rijksmuseum shows heaven on earth
Publication date: 07 June 2024 - 12:43
In the exhibition Asian Bronze. 4,000 years of beauty, the Rijksmuseum brings together more than 75 bronze masterpieces, from prehistoric artefacts to contemporary artworks, from India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal and Korea. Most of these works are on display in the Netherlands for the first time and more than 15 of them have never been shown in Europe before. Statues of the Buddha, Shiva and Vishnu, among other images, impressively show how heaven was often depicted in bronze on earth. All the senses are stimulated by bronze mirrors, weapons, bells, wine vessels and incense burners, often spectacularly depicted in the shape of lions, elephants or mythical creatures. The exhibition runs from September 27, 2024 to January 12, 2025 in the Rijksmuseum.
Never before has the Rijksmuseum collaborated with Asian countries on such a large scale. We are grateful that we can show many unique masterpieces in Europe for the first time. The skill and creativity of the ancient artisans inspires deep admiration for their unparalleled artistic talent.
Taco Dibbits, General Director Rijksmuseum
For the first time
The exhibition features works from six museums in various Asian countries. The National Museum in Bangkok, for example, has loaned six works, including Buddha seated under the hood of a seven-headed nāga, which is leaving Thailand for the first time since it was cast in the 12th or 13th century. Works will also come from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok. Other loans come from India (National Museum, New Delhi; Bihar Museum, Patna), Indonesia (Museum Sonobudoyo, Yogyakarta) and Pakistan (National Museum, Karachi).
Famous collections
In addition to the artworks from Asian museums, the exhibition features masterpieces from collections in Europe and the United States. These exhibits include a wine vessel in the form of an elephant (China, Shang dynasty, 18th-11th century BCE) from the Musée Guimet, Paris, and the figure of Yashoda with the Infant Krishna (India, 12th century CE) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The exhibition also presents several works from the Rijksmuseum’s own Asian collection, including Shiva Nataraja (India, 12th century CE) and the recently acquired statue of Guhyasamaja Aksobhya (Tibet, 15th century CE), which will be on view for the first time.
Research
The Rijksmuseum holds a large collection of bronze figures from Asia. We conduct extensive research into these objects, to gather new knowledge on the composition of the bronze itself as well as the various casting techniques and other processes involved in their manufacture. The results of this research form the basis of this exhibition, which is also an opportunity to situate our collection in an international context.
Design
Dutch designer Aldo Bakker (1971) designs the exhibition. He previously designed the exhibition Small Wonders in the Rijksmuseum. Irma Boom is responsible for the graphic design.
Book
A book is being released to accompany Asian Bronze. 4000 Years of Beauty, written by the curators of the exhibition. Dutch and English language versions available. Price €35. Dutch version, ISBN 978-94-6208-885-6; English version, ISBN 978-94-6208-886-3.
Multimedia tour
Listen to the chimes of 3,000-year-old bells and learn all about bronze casting, the lost-wax technique and the rainbow of colour tones that can be achieved through the application of natural and artificial patinas. There are Dutch and English versions of the multimedia tour, which is available for rent at the multimedia desk for €6.50 or free of charge in the Rijksmuseum app.
Family Trail
Trail for families with children from 8 to 12 years old. Copies will be available in the Rijksmuseum, free of charge
Sensory Friendly Evening
23 November, 6-9 PM
Symposium
A symposium on Asian bronzes will be held in the Rijksmuseum on 9 and 10 January 2025.
The exhibition Asian Bronze. 4000 years of beauty is made possible in part by the Bagri Foundation, Flora Fonds/Rijksmuseum Fonds, Rijksmuseum Friends and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
Vital support
The Rijksmuseum is grateful for all the forms of support it receives. Government funding, contributions from the business sector and funding organisations, as well as gifts, bequests and Friends are all of vital importance to the Rijksmuseum.