Chimei Museum

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Chimei Museum

The Chimei Museum (Chinese: 奇美博物館; pinyin: Qíměi Bówùguǎn) is a private museum established in 1992 by the Chi Mei Corporation in Rende District, Tainan, Taiwan. The museum's collection is divided into five categories: Western Art (including painting, sculpture, decorative arts and period furniture); Musical instruments; Natural history; Arms and armor; Antiquities and artifacts. The museum is known for having one of the largest collections of violins in the world, and also for its significant collections of ancient weapons and Western paintings and sculptures. Forbes magazine, in its February 1996 article on private collectors in Asia, called Chimei Museum "one of the world's most surprising art collections." The museum moved to its current venue on Wenhua Road in 2014.

Background

In 1992, Shi Wen-long (許文龍) established the Chimei Museum to fulfill his childhood dream. He is known for his collection of antique violins — Stradivarius, Guarneri del Gesù and Nicolo Amati. Besides being an entrepreneur, Shi is also an amateur violinist who has performed in public many times. To improve the level of classical music in Taiwan, he founded the Chi Mei Cultural Foundation and also provided a scholarship for developing artists.

Exhibitions

The museum has several exhibition areas, including art, natural history, historic weapons, musical instruments, ancient objects, sculptures and industrial techniques. The museum has a collection of European paintings in the 18th and 19th century, presenting the development of western art. The historic weapon exhibition presents weapons from prehistoric time, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age to modern times. The two canons in front of the museum were designed and built in 1689. They were taken away by foreigners in the 19th century until Chi Mei Culture Foundation purchased them in 1994.

Violin Collection

The museum collects valuable violins and other string instruments by Antonio Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesu, Nicolo Amati, Jacob Stainer, Amati, Rogeri, Joseph Guarneri Filius Andrea, Seraphin, Gagliano, Guadagnini and other famous artisans. As of 2015, the museum has 1,362 violins in its collection and has allowed more than 3,000 violinists to borrow more than 220 violins over the past decade. The Chimei Museum loans the antiques instruments to distinguished musicians, such as Yo-Yo Ma, free of charge.

Artworks

The Madonna of Humility

Faites Venir à moi les enfants

Saint Martin et le Mendiant- Lucas Cranach the Younger (German, 1515–1586)

Charity- Jacques Blanchard- El Greco (Spanish, 1540/50-1614)

The Last Tears-Narcisse-Virgilio Diaz de Pena (France, 1807–1876)

La Charité-Unknown (Ecole Austro-Hongroise 19th Century)

La Bénédiction des blés (France 1806-1927)

Reproductions from the museum

The Chimei Museum has offered reproductions such as canvas posters, simulating sculptures made from bonded marble powder, stationery items and many classic CD recordings performed by top Taiwanese musicians on the rare instruments from the Chi Mei Collection since 1997. The museum has also published the hardcover book "Chi-Mei Collection of Fine Violins" featuring 15 world famous string instruments made by the Italian violin makers of the 17th century. Through the Shining Collection in New York, one can inquire about and purchase these reproductions.

Location and Hours

The museum address is: No. 66, Section 2, Wenhua Rd., Rende District, Tainan, Taiwan. The museum is open to the public from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and it is closed on Mondays.

Transportation

The museum is accessible within walking distance from Bao'an Station of the Taiwan Railway Administration.

See also

• List of museums in Taiwan

External links

• Official Website