A new exhibition, “Benevolence in Motion: Artifacts Donated to the Palace Museum,” opened at the Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren gong) on Friday.

Since 2005, the Palace Museum’s Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren gong) has served as a dedicated gallery for donated artifacts, featuring the permanent “Jingren List,” an inscription honoring its benefactors. Since 1945, more than 800 donors have contributed over 35,000 artifacts to the museum’s collection. The current display marks the tenth themed exhibition on donations held at the Palace of Great Benevolence and the 49th exhibition of its kind since the museum was founded. Featuring over 100 artifacts donated by 100 contributors, the exhibition includes gifts from notable figures such as Zheng Zhenduo and Sun Yingzhou. The showcased works span a wide range of categories, including calligraphy and paintings, ceramics, inscriptions, jade, stoneware, gold and silverware, and sculptures.

Focusing on the people, the artifacts, and the spirit of generosity they represent, the exhibition is divided into three sections: “Honoring The Names,” “Recognizing Their Contributions,” and “Celebrating The Virtue.” It presents the stories of donors, the value of their donated artifacts, and the enduring legacy of generosity they represent. The exhibition aims to present the profound significance and diverse value of donated cultural relics from multiple perspectives, guiding visitors to explore the stories behind these treasures and calling on the public to join in the effort to protect cultural heritage.

Due to space limitations, not all donors and donated artifacts can be individually presented in the exhibition. Instead, a representative selection offers a glimpse into the whole, reflecting the breadth of contributions made over the years. The Palace Museum, however, extends the same deep gratitude and respect to every donor.

Given the preservation requirements of the historic venue, certain replicas will be displayed to ensure the safety of the artifacts. In addition, some original pieces will be replaced with replicas on Nov. 3 and Dec. 10. The detailed replacement schedule is as follows: