Research Center of Chinese and European Cultures and Histories

​Research Center of Chinese and European Cultures and Histories

Collaboration between Palace Museum Beijing and Heidelberg University

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​​The Palace Museum, Beijing and the University of Heidelberg mutually collaborate on research, teaching and training on history, fine art, material culture and cultural exchange between China and Europe in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and jointly establish the “Virtual Research Center of Chinese and European Cultures and Histories.”

This collaboration aims to take advantage of the superior strengths and networks of both the Palace Museum, Beijing and Heidelberg University and to cater to the current needs for cross-cultural research and international collaboration, providing a platform of research and communication for young Chinese and German scholars. The main purpose is to establish a long-term strategic partnership in a broader field, including joint conferences, project applications, education and research.

The Palace Museum, Beijing is a first class national museum in China. Today, the Palace Museum houses one of the world’s most distinctive collections in Ming and Qing dynasty painting, including works by Jesuit artists who served the 18th century imperial court in Beijing.

Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany. It has a history of more than 600 years of teaching and research, and is one of the nine elite universities funded by the German federal government. The Institute of East Asian History was established in 1947.

The center’s main research field is missionary painters at the Ming and Qing dynasty courts, their European painting training, and the history and cultural exchange between China and Europe (and America) from the late Ming to the Qing dynasty. The initial period stretches over four years (October 1, 2015-September 30, 2019).

Prof. Dr. Dieter W. Heermann