Northern Ch’i dynasty, 550-577 CE, China
Asia Society, known for its work in educating the world about Asia and celebrating Asian cultures, historically has exhibited visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature across Asia and the Asian diaspora.
In 1959, when it moved to its headquarters to Asia House on 112 East 64th Street, New York City, Asia Society made especially crucial contributions to bringing Asian art to American audiences. Asia House was designed by Philip Johnson and would host 70 exhibitions from its opening until 1980, when Asia Society moved once again.John Russell, “Gallery View; A Splendid New Home for Rockefeller’s Treasures.” New York Times, October 11, 1981.
Founded in 1956, in the wake of World War II and the Korean War, Asia Society was set up to increase Americans’ understanding of Asia. John D. Rockefeller 3rd was the leading force and funder behind Asia Society’s creation and served as its first president. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund also provided early support.
Asia Society’s first public exhibition in its Asia House gallery space, “Masterpieces of Asian Art in American Collections,” opened on January 7, 1960. Laurence Sickman, Director at the Nelson Gallery of Art in Kansas City, served as chair of the selection committee. In the Introduction to the exhibition catalogue, Sickman explained,
The custodianship of great works of art from cultures other than our own places on us a heavy burden. Beyond the aesthetic pleasures they evoke, these collections should be used in ways that make them meaningful, ways that demonstrate the validity of concepts other than our own.
Laurence Sickman, Director, Nelson Gallery of Art, Kansas City, 1960.
At a time when many in the United States had very little exposure to or understanding of Asian cultures, the 1960 exhibition was aimed to raise awareness of Asia and Asian art. By bringing together pieces from multiple American collections, the exhibition also evidenced that a handful of art collectors in the US already had an appreciation for and expertise in Asian art.
John D. Rockefeller 3rd, himself a pathbreaking collector of Asian art, wrote,
It is a source of great pleasure and satisfaction to all of us associated with the Asia Society to be able to present this important collection of Asian art as the first exhibition in our gallery. The assembling of this striking array of art objects, all of them from American collections, will, we hope, prove of value in further appreciation for the artistic achievements of the East.
John D. Rockefeller 3rdAsia Society Exhibition files, 1960-1975. Asia Society collection, Rockefeller Archive Center.
Japan, from “Masterpieces of Asian Art in American Collections,” Asia House, 1960
New York Times art critic Stuart Preston sang the praises of the exhibition and the individual pieces. In his review, he wrote,
Asian art makes no insistent demands on our attention. Rather, it slowly and profoundly insinuates itself into our minds and, once there, retains its hold. Comment on any individual object in this exhibition is precluded by the exceptional quality of each one.
Stuart Preston, “Asian and Other Art.” New York Times, January 10, 1960.
Shang dynasty, 1523-1028 BCE, China
attributed to Hsu Tao-ning, Northern Sung dynasty, 960-1127 CE, China
Northern Sung dynasty, 960-1127 CE, China
15th-16th century CE, Korea
794–896 CE, Japan
by Roshu, Edo period, 1615-1867 CE, Japan
Chola period, c. 850-1287 CE, South India
Chola period, c. 850-1287 CE, South India
late Eastern Chou c. 771 – 256 BCE, China
