An exhibition focusing on the exchanges between France and China in the 17th and 18th centuries is currently on display at the Palace Museum in Beijing. To mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles have gathered more than 200 works of art into a collection that shows the rich history and culture of the two countries from various aspects.
Louis XIV sent French Jesuit priests to China in the 17th century to win favor with Emperor Kangxi and build mutual trust and respect between the two countries. The exhibition shows how Chinese art became a source of inspiration for French art during this period and reveals the deep interest of the former Chinese emperors in French culture. With works mainly from the collections of the two museums, from painting to literature, from architecture to music and science, these diplomatic gifts show us a glorious history and friendly exchanges.