“印度宮廷的輝煌——英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館珍藏展”

由故宮博物院、英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館聯合舉辦的“印度宮廷的輝煌——英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館珍藏展”于2013年4月25日在故宮博物院午門展廳隆重開幕，百余件（套）精美的印度宮廷文物在午門展廳與廣大觀眾見面。

印度作為歷史悠久的文明古國，在宗教、哲學、科學、文學、藝術等方面創造了輝煌的成就。數千年來，孔雀王朝、笈多王朝及莫臥兒王朝等強大帝國使印度形成了獨特的文化。它是印度教、佛教、耆那教和錫克教的誕生地，也受到了伊斯蘭教的深刻影響。

1700年之后，莫臥兒帝國開始衰落，強大的地方統治者以及歐洲各貿易公司紛紛拓展勢力范圍。各種文化的交流日漸頻繁，很多精美的藝術珍品都誕生于這一時期，展示了權力和影響力的轉移所帶來的王室地位和身份以及宮廷文化和藝術資助的變化。

成立于1852年的英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館是世界領先的藝術和設計博物館。其豐富多樣的藏品跨越了數千年的人類歷史，涵蓋了每一個藝術門類，來自印度次大陸的藝術藏品尤其著名。

故宮博物院與英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館有著良好而廣泛的合作。“印度宮廷的輝煌——英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館珍藏展”是雙方又一次共同策劃、精誠合作的重要展覽。展覽以英國國立維多利亞與艾伯特博物館的珍貴收藏為依托，特別精選繪畫、織品、武備、飾物等印度宮廷藝術珍品113件（套），從宮廷朝會、宮廷生活、宮殿之外、西方的影響等四個方面展示了18至19世紀豐富多彩的印度王權文化，鮮活地展現了印度宮廷藝術的華美風姿。

展覽將展出至2013年7月31日。本次展覽不單獨售票，觀眾持故宮博物院門票即可免費參觀。

The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts—

Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum

The exhibition of “The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts—Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum”, jointly organized by the Palace Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in Britain, saw its grand opening on 25th April 2013. Over a hundred refined objects from India’s royal courts are on display in the Meridian Gate Gallery.

As an ancient civilization with a long history, India has made glorious achievements in religion, philosophy, science, literature, art, etc. Over thousands of years its distinctive culture has been shaped by powerful dynasties, such as the Maurya, Gupta and Mughal empires. It is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism and has also been profoundly influenced by Islam.

The power of the Mughal Empire declined after 1700, with strong regional rulers and the European trading companies expanding their dominance. Exchanges between various cultures flourished and many fine works of art were created during that period, revealing how royal status and identity, court culture and patronage were transformed in response to these shifts of power and influence.

Founded in 1852, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is the world’s leading museum of art and design, with rich and diverse collections that cover all art forms and date from thousands of years ago to the present day. The Museum is particularly famed for its collection of art from the Indian Sub-continent.

The Palace Museum and the V&A have had sound and extensive collaborations. “The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts—Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum”, is another important exhibition jointly planned and organized by the two museums. Drawing on the superlative collections of the V&A, this exhibition features 113 pieces (sets) of artworks from India’s royal courts, including paintings, textile, arms and armour as well as ornamentations. The exhibition is composed of four parts -- Darbar; Plalace Life; Beyond the Palace and the Influence of the West. The exhibition explores the rich and diversified culture of Indian Kingship in the eighteen to nineteenth centuries and vividly demonstrates the resplendent charm of art in Indian royal courts.

The exhibition will close on 31st July 2013. There is no separate ticket issued for the exhibition. Visitors can enter with the museum ticket.

（來源：英國使館文化教育處，編輯 Helen）