Part of the first exchange agreement between China's Palace Museum and an American museum, Forbidden City: Imperial Treasures from Palace Museum, Beijing accompanies an exhibition of the same name at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. More than 200 works of art drawn from the collection of the Palace Museum--court paintings, furniture, costumes, sculpture, decorative objects, arms, and armor--highlight the artistic accomplishments of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, with a focus on the mid-Qing dynasty of the 18th century. In addition, the book features a number of works selected from VMFA's collection. These magnificent artworks, all reproduced in full color, illustrate the splendor of the Forbidden City and offer an intimate look at its rituals, religion, and daily life.