A LANDMARK exhibition bringing together more than 40 French national tapestry treasures has made its Asian debut at Shenzhen Bay Culture Square, marking the first large-scale, systematic presentation of French tapestry art in Asia. “Century Threads: From Royal Courts to Contemporary Art — French Tapestry Treasures and Chinese Echoes” spans seven thematic sections and features more than 70 works in total, including over 10 pieces from the venue’s own collection and approximately 20 works by leading Chinese artists presented in a dedicated “Chinese Echoes” section. The show traces the full arc of tapestry art from the 18th century to the present, featuring works from the circle of Louis XV — including a rare piece from the same series gifted to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Emperor Qianlong — alongside masterpieces by French court artists Charles Le Brun and François Boucher. The exhibition then follows the medium’s transformation under modernism, with tapestry works produced in collaboration with the French national manufactures by Jean Lurçat, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Le Corbusier, Joan Miró and Zao Wou-Ki. French curator Lucile Montagne, head of the Inspection Department at Mobilier national and chief curator of Cultural Heritage, told Shenzhen Daily that the tapestry tradition runs deep in European culture. “The art of tapestry is really ancient. In France and in Europe, the tapestries were used to put inside castles or big homes to decorate or for heating,” Montagne said. Among the highlights, she singled out works by two 20th-century icons. “Matisse and Picasso are kind of the must-see tapestries in the exhibition,” she said, pointing visitors toward Matisse’s “The Sky” in particular.Alongside the main exhibition, the venue has launched a series of public programs including academic forums with Chinese and French cultural scholars, designers and artists, and hands-on workshops led by instructors from the Manufactures nationales covering tapestry weaving and three-dimensional collage. Dates: Until Aug. 16 Venue: Shenzhen Bay Culture Square, Nanshan District (深圳湾文化广场) Metro: Line 13 to Talent Park Station (人才公园站), Exit B1; then a 10-minute walk (Yang Mei) | 