The Helena and William Schulte Gallery of Chinese Art

ATTENTION: The Schulte Gallery of Chinese Art has been reinstalled as a part of the current exhibition: Tide Pool: Exploring Coastal Communities [Open February 17, 2024 through January 5, 2025].

Established in 1996, the Schulte Gallery showcases over 80 pieces of Chinese art representing thousands of years of Chinese history. The collection includes a selection of decorative Chinese arts donated to the Museum from the Schulte family, along with works of art from other donors.

It is believed that painting emerged as the main form of Chinese art during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 221). Painting was considered part of the gentlemen’s curriculum and through their paintings, they expressed how they viewed the world in a manner worthy of their ancestors. Most of the Chinese symbols you will notice on the porcelains are derived from natural subjects such as plants and animals. Later, Chinese art veered away from nature and animals and centered on family and religious aspects.

Ancestors shadowed every aspect of ancient Chinese life. Even though the Chinese believed in gods, every single aspect of their life was based on their ancestors’ approval. If the Chinese failed to respect their ancestors, it was to be believed that their ancestors would be forgotten on earth and would symbolically perish in heaven.

Along with religion, family was a foundation for Chinese society. Generally, Chinese families were composed of patriarchal hierarchies and all authority resided with the eldest male. According to ancient custom, the eldest male decided all issues of justice.

Various gemstones, bronzes, cloisonne’, manuscripts, and pottery elaborate on thousands of years of Chinese history. The gallery also houses large, interpretive panels explaining ancient Chinese symbols and religions, along with an explanation of the multiple dynasties (including the Tang Dynasty, Lia Dynasty, Jin (Chin) Dynasties, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, etc.) that ruled in China early on. Also displayed in the gallery are ancestor portraits, landscape scrolls, and two rare water-color folios.