Exhibitions

Never before seen by the public, the contents of an Emperor’s private retreat deep within the Forbidden City will be revealed for the first time at the Peabody Essex Museum.

An 18th-century compound in a hidden quadrant of the immense imperial complex, the Qianlong Garden (also known as the Tranquility and Longevity Palace Garden), is part of a decade-long, multimillion-dollar conservation initiative undertaken by the World Monuments Fund in partnership with the Palace Museum, Beijing.

Ninety objects of ceremony and leisure — murals, paintings, wall coverings, furniture, architectural elements, jades and cloisonné — unveil the private realm of the Qianlong Emperor (r.1736-1796), one of history’s most influential figures. In his time, he was among the richest, most powerful men the world. A connoisseur, scholar and devout Buddhist, he created a luxurious garden compound to serve throughout his retirement as a secluded place of contemplation, repose and entertainment.

The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Mass., in cooperation with World Monuments Fund. The exhibition and national tour were made possible in part by generous support from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Additional support provided by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and ECHO (Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations).

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