As a means to compare the rise and evolution of art in both Flanders and China, LucTuymans (Belgian artist) and Yu Hui (curator at the Palace Museum in Bejing), conceived a temporary exhibition called “The Forbidden Empire“. Bozar Center for Fine Arts in Brussels hosts the exhibition till may 6th, after which a modified version moves to the Palace Museum in Bejing.

Anonymous, 18th century, Colour on paper, 76.5 x 147.2 cm
Inv. 6493, Originally kept by the Qing Imperial Court, The Palace Museum, Beijing

Starting with 15th century works in the first hall, and ending with 20th century works in the last one, featuring drawings and paintings from Van Eyck, Brueghel, Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens, Ensor, Spillaert, Masereel and so on, we were pleased to come and visit Bozar close to the ending of the exhibition at the 6th of may. The entrance fee was 7 euro.
There were quite a lot of visitors – mainly tourists, we also spotted Chinese people ;).

Ren Xiong, Ca. 1800–1850, Palace Museum, Beijing

The curators did a good job offering a chronological walk through western and asian art, pointing visitors at differences in material, coloring, use of distance and detail, calligraphy and general drawing subjects.

The Forbidden Empire Exhibition
Date: February 15th – May 6th, 2007
Place: Bozar, Center for Fine Arts
Address: 23 Ravensteinstraat, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 507 8200
http://www.bozar.be