From Naples to Beijing: "The Forms of the Empire. New Discoveries from Pompeii and Herculaneum"

From Naples to Beijing: "The Forms of the Empire. New Discoveries from Pompeii and Herculaneum"

Eighty‑eight objects from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) are on display at the National Museum in Beijing in the exhibition The Forms of the Empire. New Discoveries from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Open until October 2026, the exhibition was launched as part of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and China and is a key cultural cooperation project between the two countries.

The show presents a curated selection of frescoes, sculptures, architectural decoration and everyday items recovered from the Vesuvian sites. The exhibition highlights recent archaeological finds and contemporary research, offering a multi‑layered reading of urban life, social and economic dynamics, and domestic space organization in ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum.

• Venue: National Museum, Beijing
• Works on display: 88 artifacts from the MANN
• Dates: on view until October 2026
• Organizers and partners: Directorate‑General for Italian Museums; scientific collaboration including Treccani
• Main topics: fresco painting, sculpture, architectural decoration, daily life and urban planning

The MANN's leadership emphasizes that the exhibition combines artifact loans with scientific collaboration to convey the enduring relevance of Pompeii and Herculaneum. A follow‑up exhibition exploring East–West cultural connections is also being planned at the Naples museum.

Visitor tips: check opening hours and ticketing information on the National Museum's official channels or via the MANN before visiting. The exhibition is recommended for those interested in urban archaeology, art history and everyday life in ancient Campania.