The Beauty of Fan-Tasy

For nearly a millennium, Chinese fan painting has evolved into a distinctive artistic tradition, where craftsmanship meets poetic expression. This exhibition presents 100 exquisite fan works from the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and modern periods—each a window into the philosophy that “the object carries the way.”

A rare highlight is Emperor Huizong of Song’s Cursive Script Poem on a Round Silk Fan—the earliest surviving calligraphy fan of its kind. During the Song dynasty, fan art flourished, favored even by emperors.

Throughout the exhibition, the museum will host academic talks, art workshops, and release a dedicated catalogue along with a collection of ten fan-inspired cultural products—bringing classical elegance into contemporary life.

Discover a timeless art form where beauty unfolds on the palm of a fan.

Date: November 14, 2025 – February 22, 2026
Location: Shanghai Museum (People’s Square), Exhibition Hall 1

Free Admission