3 . ANCIENT CHINESE ART ON SHOW

The Richfield Museum of Fine Art is proud to present our new exhibition, “From Shang to Qing: Chinese Art Through the Ages.” Join us as we explore more than 3,000 years of wonderful art from the Middle Kingdom. From bronze bowls to ceramic vases, and jade sculptures to ink wash paintings, our goal is to display the Chinese artistic genius from ancient times.

The highlight of this exhibition is the painting Clearing After Snow on a Mountain Pass, one of the great works of Tang Yin(1470－1524). Born during the Ming Dynasty, Tang sought and failed to gain entry into the civil service, so he turned to painting instead. In time, he gained recognition as one of the greatest artists China has ever known. This painting, showing high mountains, trees, and houses covered in snow, was made with extraordinary skill. Though it is over 500 years old, it looks as fresh and full of life as the day it was created.

Also of primary note is a collection of nearly 100 bronze objects from the Shang Dynasty(1600 BCE－1046 BCE). While the artists who made these great works are not known, they showed great skill in creating these beautiful pieces. Some of the items on display are thought to have come from the collection of Emperor Qianlong(1711－1799), a great admirer of Shang Dynasty bronze.

Finally, we have many fine examples of Tang Dynasty (618－907) sculptures. Most of these are of Buddhist origin. Even though Buddhism entered China much earlier, it did not really begin to show expansion until the seventh century.

During this same period, trade along the Silk Road also boomed. Chinese sculpture thus found itself highly influenced by Buddhist art brought from India and Central Asia through the Silk Road. These works were intended to spread Buddhism and they are of exceptional beauty and quality. Looking at the faces of the figures in these sculptures, one sees the faces of the past. History is brought to life.

This is just a small taste of what is in store for you in this exhibition. We guarantee that “From Shang to Qing: Chinese Art Through the Ages” will transport you to another time with its amazing collection of works.

“From Shang to Qing: Chinese Art Through the Ages” will run until November 25.

Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday (the museum is closed on Mondays). No one will be admitted into the exhibition after 4:30 p.m.

Admission: $10 for adults: $8 for students; $5 for children under 12; free for children under 5.

No photos or food and drink are allowed in the museum.

San Francisco is a great city, which was able to rebuild itself after the earthquake that     1     (occur) in 1906.There are so many beautiful old buildings－many     2     (sit) on top of big hills, offering great views of the city, the ocean, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Mission District is the oldest part of the city,     3     used to be a poor area, but now is a centre of art, music, and food. In fact, an art movement called the “Mission School” started here. It     4     (influence) by graffiti art and comic art.

In 1848，America got California     5     Mexico, and gold was discovered near San Francisco. The dream of     6     (seek) their fortune quickly attracted people from all over the world, so San Francisco quickly became a big city. In fact, few achieved their dream of     7     (become) rich.     8     (earn) a living, some opened    9     shops and restaurants, some found jobs on farms, and others went to build the railway.

It is those immigrants from different countries and cultures     10     built America.

REACHING OUT ACROSS THE SEA

Trade and curiosity have often formed the foundation of mankind’s greatest achievements. To complete the great map of the world was a strong passion for the people of early civilisations. Marco Polo’s tales inspired European explorers to search for sea routes from west to east. However, merchants and explorers from the East set sail from east to west many years before Columbus first did.

In ancient times, silk from China found its way overland to India, the Middle East, and Rome, along what became known as the Silk Road. A trading route across the sea was also extended along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka ). Here, merchants from China and many other places met to negotiate trade deals, which also led to more awareness of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China, as recorded in Du Haun’s Record of My Travels in the eighth century.

Later, the Ming Dynasty further developed relations with these regions. Between 1405 and 1433, seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration. These fleets were a sight to behold and were in a league of their own at that time. Under the command of Zheng He, they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean to the mouth of the Red Sea, and then to the east coast of Africa. African royal families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in return for gold, silk, and spices. Although China withdrew from further expeditions after 1433, these land and sea routes remained active channels between other cultures for centuries.

To reach out across the sea remains a strong desire today. The ancient sea routes travelled by Zheng He are being revisited with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to encourage cooperation and trade across the historic Silk Road areas, and strengthen the bonds between China and the rest of the world. Trading has grown greatly in recent years, and will continue to do so in years to come. China has invested billions in systems and services along these routes, which will help to greatly develop the whole area for the benefit of future trade and cultural exchange.

China has also joined its friends across the sea on other important projects. Although the ancient sea routes of Zheng He have been travelled many times, there are still many other places left to explore. In recent years, China has joined other nations on several expeditions to explore the Arctic. From a scientific point of view, there is an urgent need to study the Arctic in order to understand climate change and its effects.

Hundreds of years on, and with the latest technology in hand, the need to trade and the desire to enhance relationships will drive China to reach out across the sea far into the future.

Trade and curiosity often form the ________ (found) of mankind’s greatest achievements.

Marco Polo’s tales inspired European explorers ________ (search) for sea routes from west to east. However, merchants and explorers from the East set sail many years before Columbus first ________ (do). A trading route across the sea was extended along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, ________ (centre) around Ceylon.

Later, the Ming Dynasty further developed relations with the regions to the west of China. Seven large (fleet) ________ sailed west for trade and exploration. ________ the command of Zheng He, they set sail from the South China Sea and eventually to the east coast of Africa.

To reach out across the sea remains ________strong desire now. The ancient sea routes travelled by Zheng He are being revisited with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, ________ belongs to the Belt and Road Initiative.

China has joined ________ (it) friends across the sea on some important projects.The need to trade ________ the desire to enhance relationships will drive China to reach out across the sea far into the future.

In ancient times, China traded its silk overland with India, the Middle East, and Rome, along what became known as the Silk Road. Meanwhile, a new trading route across the sea     1     (extend) along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Here merchants from China and many other places met     2     (negotiate) trade deals,     3     also led to more awareness of each other’s cultures.

Later, the Ming Dynasty     4     (far) developed relations with these regions. Between 1405 and 1433,     5     the command of Zheng He, seven large fleets sailed west on     6     (voyage) of trade and exploration,     7     (seek) cooperation and friendship between China and other countries.

Today, the Belt and Road Initiative     8     (encourage) cooperation and trade across the     9     (history) Silk Road areas, and strengthen the bonds between China and the rest of the world.

Hundreds of years on, and with     10     latest technology in hand, the need to trade and the desire to enhance relationships will drive China to reach out across the sea far into the future.