Wu Zetian

In over 2000 years of China’s feudal dynasties, all its rulers shared a common trait: they were male. Empress Wu Zetian stands as the sole exception. While numerous books and movies have recounted her extraordinary life, Europe has yet to host an exhibition of such scale. Using impressive objects of unprecedented quality that rarely leave China, the exhibition follows the incredible journey of a young girl who entered the imperial court as a concubine, assisted Emperor Gaozong in government affairs, and rose to become Wu Zetian, China’s sole empress.

From October 26, 2024, to May 25, 2025, an array of high-quality, scarcely loaned artifacts will grace the halls of the Princessehof museum, including earthenware grave goods depicting camels, horses, musicians, merchants, luxurious jewellery, bronze mirrors, elegant porcelain, as well as vessels crafted in gold and silver.

Narrating the story of one of the most powerful women in world history through 105 Chinese artifacts rarely seen in Europe, the exhibition is anticipated to be one of the most prestigious exhibitions in the history of the Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics. It has received substantial support from the Embassy of China in the Netherlands and the Province of Friesland in the Netherlands.

The exhibition is an outstanding outcome of collaboration with the Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Art Exhibitions China, Henan Administration of Cultural Heritage and the following Chinese lending institutions: Luoyang Museum, Longmen Grottoes Academy, Luoyang City Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, Zhenjiang Museum, Gongyi Museum, Henan Museum, Yanshi Museum and Xin’an Museum.