Gardens are arcadias for self-discovery, leisure havens for the ordinary people, stages of power for rulers, tasteful displays for wealthy merchants and spiritual homes for scholars. While the design and style of Chinese and Western gardens from ancient to modern times vary, they all reflect the core value of a garden: a serene retreat filled with natural beauty, where people can relax and reflect.

This exhibition is an unprecedented Hong Kong showcase of 106 selected paintings and artefacts from The Palace Museum in Beijing, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palace of Versailles in France and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Curated around a central theme of garden landscaping, activities in garden and appreciation of artworks inspired by garden culture, the exhibition takes the audience on a journey through the grand gardens of kings and nobles, including Emperor Qianlong of China and King Louis XIV of France. It also highlights romantic gardens portrayed by master artists like Claude Monet, Zhang Daqian and Wen Zhengming, to explore a stunning variety of gardens and the cultural significance behind their designs.

Venue address: 2/F, The Special Gallery, HKMoA