Shanghai, 14 Jan (Xinhua) -- Did "divine beasts" such as the Qilin, Bai Ze, and the Nine-tailed Fox ever exist? How did the ancients' perception of animals differ from those of contemporary people? These questions may be answered from the "Qing Palace Animal Genealogy" exhibition created by the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and the Palace Museum.
The Qing Palace "Animal Genealogy" is a richly illustrated animal atlas of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, which integrates the realistic style of traditional Chinese painting and the light and shadow techniques of Western painting, with a total of 180 paintings of animals.
"Qing Palace Animal Genealogy" exhibition site. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Aiping
However, since animal science research was not systematically carried out at that time, some animal paintings in the Animal Genealogy differed from the biological morphological characteristics of real animals.
In this context, the two museums in Beijing and Shanghai jointly created the "Qing Palace Animal Genealogy" exhibition, introducing the latest exhibition technology, trying to combine traditional Chinese culture, aesthetic art and contemporary scientific research results, a new interpretation of the "Animal Genealogy", and also guiding the audience to explore the mysteries of animals. It is reported that the exhibition will last from January 13 to May this year.
A high-definition reproduction of the drawing of the tiger in The Beast And a tiger specimen. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Aiping
A high-definition reproduction of the drawings of lions in The Beast And a lion specimen. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Aiping
Nini, a 9-year-old audience member, liked the interactive multimedia screens and animal specimens in the exhibition, "The cross-border integration of science and art, the exhibition is vivid and interesting, stimulates children's curiosity, and increases children's motivation to explore and learn." The rich activities of the popular science and cultural exhibition venues make this winter vacation more colorful. Nini's mother, Ms. Lee, said.