The Flickr Revolutionaryinsurrection Image Generatr

China
Woven silk gauze inset with patterned silk

The changing role of women
Women of the late-Qing, who wore clothing such as this, lived through an era of transition. Opportunities for education and political participation began to increase. Women from wealthy families studied abroad, sometimes bringing revolutionary ideas back to China. The written words of the poet Qiu Jin, translated by Yilin Wang, are emblematic: ‘As my heart shatters with rage over my homeland’s troubles, how can I linger, a guest abroad, savouring spring winds?’.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

China
Woven silk gauze inset with patterned silk

The changing role of women
Women of the late-Qing, who wore clothing such as this, lived through an era of transition. Opportunities for education and political participation began to increase. Women from wealthy families studied abroad, sometimes bringing revolutionary ideas back to China. The written words of the poet Qiu Jin, translated by Yilin Wang, are emblematic: ‘As my heart shatters with rage over my homeland’s troubles, how can I linger, a guest abroad, savouring spring winds?’.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

Hat; 1850–1900; stand; 1873
Jingdezhen
Rattan, bamboo, reeds, straw, grass, silk, porcelain and enamels

For Qing officials, the conical liang mao (cool hat) was formal summer attire. This one has a chin-strap and red silk tassels. Peacock plumes, awarded for commendable service, could be attached. A finial of coloured glass or semi-precious stones indicated rank. The porcelain stand is painted in pale colours characteristic of the 1850s to 1900s. Its shape is innovative.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

Hat; 1850–1900; stand; 1873
Jingdezhen
Rattan, bamboo, reeds, straw, grass, silk, porcelain and enamels

For Qing officials, the conical liang mao (cool hat) was formal summer attire. This one has a chin-strap and red silk tassels. Peacock plumes, awarded for commendable service, could be attached. A finial of coloured glass or semi-precious stones indicated rank. The porcelain stand is painted in pale colours characteristic of the 1850s to 1900s. Its shape is innovative.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

Hat; 1850–1900; stand; 1873
Jingdezhen
Rattan, bamboo, reeds, straw, grass, silk, porcelain and enamels

For Qing officials, the conical liang mao (cool hat) was formal summer attire. This one has a chin-strap and red silk tassels. Peacock plumes, awarded for commendable service, could be attached. A finial of coloured glass or semi-precious stones indicated rank. The porcelain stand is painted in pale colours characteristic of the 1850s to 1900s. Its shape is innovative.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

China
Woven silk gauze inset with patterned silk

The changing role of women
Women of the late-Qing, who wore clothing such as this, lived through an era of transition. Opportunities for education and political participation began to increase. Women from wealthy families studied abroad, sometimes bringing revolutionary ideas back to China. The written words of the poet Qiu Jin, translated by Yilin Wang, are emblematic: ‘As my heart shatters with rage over my homeland’s troubles, how can I linger, a guest abroad, savouring spring winds?’.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

China
Embroidered cotton

Military reforms and the national Qing flag
After defeat in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5), the Qing army was restructured. New weapons were produced at arsenals in Nanjing and Fuzhou. Modern uniforms replaced styles that had been worn for centuries. This flag was adopted by the Qing government in 1888 as a state banner and ensign for the Beiyang fleet – the largest modernised naval force in the empire. The rectangular shape copied the flags of foreign countries rather than the triangular or square flags previously used by Qing armies.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

China
Woven silk gauze inset with patterned silk

The changing role of women
Women of the late-Qing, who wore clothing such as this, lived through an era of transition. Opportunities for education and political participation began to increase. Women from wealthy families studied abroad, sometimes bringing revolutionary ideas back to China. The written words of the poet Qiu Jin, translated by Yilin Wang, are emblematic: ‘As my heart shatters with rage over my homeland’s troubles, how can I linger, a guest abroad, savouring spring winds?’.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

Nanjing
Paper and ink

This is the very last exam paper for the Triennial Examinations, held in the Provincial Examination Hall at Nanjing in September 1902. With 20,644 cells, it was the largest exam hall in China. Passing official exams in the 18th century had guaranteed a job for life with a good salary, however by the 19th century officials were increasingly underemployed. In the late Qing period, positions could also be purchased outright, bypassing the official exams and creating a new class of official.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

China
Woven silk gauze inset with patterned silk

The changing role of women
Women of the late-Qing, who wore clothing such as this, lived through an era of transition. Opportunities for education and political participation began to increase. Women from wealthy families studied abroad, sometimes bringing revolutionary ideas back to China. The written words of the poet Qiu Jin, translated by Yilin Wang, are emblematic: ‘As my heart shatters with rage over my homeland’s troubles, how can I linger, a guest abroad, savouring spring winds?’.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

China
Embroidered cotton

Military reforms and the national Qing flag
After defeat in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5), the Qing army was restructured. New weapons were produced at arsenals in Nanjing and Fuzhou. Modern uniforms replaced styles that had been worn for centuries. This flag was adopted by the Qing government in 1888 as a state banner and ensign for the Beiyang fleet – the largest modernised naval force in the empire. The rectangular shape copied the flags of foreign countries rather than the triangular or square flags previously used by Qing armies.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum

Nanjing
Paper and ink

This is the very last exam paper for the Triennial Examinations, held in the Provincial Examination Hall at Nanjing in September 1902. With 20,644 cells, it was the largest exam hall in China. Passing official exams in the 18th century had guaranteed a job for life with a good salary, however by the 19th century officials were increasingly underemployed. In the late Qing period, positions could also be purchased outright, bypassing the official exams and creating a new class of official.*

Reformers and revolutionaries
Reformers and revolutionaries had conflicting ideas about China’s future. Intellectual reformers looked to Japan because it had modernised whilst retaining the emperor. Revolutionaries also found inspiration in Japan, but they wanted to overturn Qing rule. Many educated men and a few women left China for Japan, where some were radicalised. Pockets of resistance were established across China, but ultimately an uprising in Hubei on 10 October 1911 was the catalyst for change. It brought an end to imperial rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic in 1912.*


Reform to revolution
Qing China was shocked by its defeat to Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–5). In the aftermath, Western imperialist forces increasingly vied for Qing land. In response, Chinese patriots sought to rapidly build a modern, cohesive nation that could stand up to external threats. Qing armies were modernised. Empress Dowager Cixi eventually permitted officials to create new ministries for foreign affairs, commerce, the police and education. Beyond China, Qing diplomatic delegations searched for alternative methods of governance. However, after a short, violent revolutionary insurrection in 1911, the last emperor Puyi abdicated in February 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule.*


From the exhibition


China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives.
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]


Taken in the British Museum