Monday, June 17, 2024 On June 7, 2024, Dr. Ji Xiaofen, Director of the China National Silk Museum, and Ms. Léa Herlet, representative of the Musées Gadagne (Musée d’Histoire de Lyon) in France, along with other distinguished guests, inaugurated a new exhibition titled “Lyon in the 18th Century: The Prosperity of the Silk Capital in the Age of Enlightenment.
” This exhibition, which runs from June 7 to September 6, 2024, in Hangzhou, is a collaborative effort between the China National Silk Museum and the Musées Gadagne. The exhibition is divided into two main sections: “Lyon City in the 18th Century” and “The Great Lyonnais Silk.” It showcases 36 sets/pieces, including architectural models, silk fabrics, clothing, portraits, and ceramics, illustrating France’s socio-economic thoughts and fashion advancements.
Additionally, it highlights cultural exchanges between China and the West, featuring Chinese elements in Western painting and clothing. This exhibition allows Chinese audiences to gain a deeper understanding of the Hungarian aristocracy’s love for silk, jewelry, and a decadent lifestyle during the 16th and 17th centuries. While silk originates from China, its beauty and exquisite craftsmanship have been appreciated and shared along the Silk Road by both Eastern and Western cultures.
Cultural exchanges between China and France have a long history. By the late 17th century, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty and King Louis XIV of France had begun e.
