Asian Pavilion

Every six months, our curators present new displays of the best of the Rijksmuseum’s Asian collection. This time it is the turn of our magnificent Chinese and Japanese paintings, Taiwanese folding fans and the collection of Petronella van Hoorn. And, as always, the Japanese temple guardians will be there to keep an eye on everything.

CHINESE AND JAPANESE PAINTINGS

How did Chinese and Japanese artists interpret nature? This display of highlights from the collections of the Rijksmuseum and the Asian Art Society of the Netherlands (KVVAK) reveals their differences and similarities. Chinese artists would depict human figures in vast landscapes, for example, while in Japan artists would emphasise the season or weather conditions. The works on show include a naturalistic 1905 study of a blue wave by Takeuchi Seiho and a wisteria by one of the most famous artists of the 20th century: Qi Baishi, who lived from 1864 to 1957.

THE DUTCH IN JAPAN

For many centuries Japan cut itself off from much of the outside world. The Dutch, however, were long an exception: the Japanese welcomed them as trading partners. Interest in these foreign visitors grew, leading to the making of prints depicting the Europeans, with their exotic appearance and eating customs. The Japanese printmakers also explored the subject of slavery. Ten prints are now on display in the Asian Pavilion.

THE COLLECTION OF PETRONELLA VAN HOORN

Petronella van Hoorn (1698-1764) was the daughter of Joan van Hoorn (1653-1711), the colonial governor general of the Dutch East Indies. He was the most senior official of the Dutch East India company, the VOC, and immensely wealthy. In 1709, Petronella van Hoorn and her father returned to the Netherlands, taking with them the many items they had bought or received over the years. Part of this collection – including silver, lacquerwork and porcelain – remained in the family until 2017, and is now on display in the Asian Pavilion.

FOLDING FANS

The folding fan is perhaps the defining symbol of East Asia . The paintings decorating them show mountains and other landscapes, as well as flowers and cranes. These unique objects gained high status among the cultural elite of the Chinese Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Chiang Yi-Tsai (b. 1973, Taiwan) is one of the artists keeping this artform alive. Experience for yourself his mastery and refinement in dreamy depictions of peach blossom, a breeze blowing across a lake, and a hermit enjoying himself.