"Selections from Versailles during Louis XIV," an exhibition of 84 items, including paintings, sculptures, carpets, furniture and silverware, will open at the Shanghai Museum in September.

Last year an exhibition featuring cultural relics belonging to Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1654-1722) was held in Versailles.

"In fact, Louis XIV and Emperor Kangxi coincided in the same historical period," said Li Feng, the spokesman for the museum. "But due to transport limitations during that time, the two emperors never met in their life. Yet today Versailles still keeps the letters they wrote to each other."

Established in the 17th century, Versailles reached its climax during the reign of Louis XIV, the "Sun King" who lived in an intricately built palace. Today, Versailles houses a number of oil paintings, murals, sculptures and other royal items.

"Versailles is deemed the essence of French culture," said Chen Xiejun, the museum's curator. "Currently we haven't decided exactly which items will be included in the exhibit. We are still in the negotiation process. But we will try to bring the best of the best to Shanghai."

Another exhibit of French artworks will open at the museum in May. It will feature 145 artworks on loan from Marseille, as part of "Marseille Week" in Shanghai, museum officials said.

(Shanghai Daily February 24, 2005)