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Misreading Freud and China
In the 1930s, the last decade of his life, Sigmund Freud began to expand his collecting of antiquities into a new area – the art of China. At the same time, his ideas began to have a significant impact in China, as Freud’s works were translated and eagerly discussed there. But many of the objects he bought at this time turn out not to be genuine, instead they are fakes made for the global trade in art. This talk will look at some of the mistakes and misunderstandings in Freud’s engagement with China, as a collector and as a thinker, but will also explore some of the ways early Chinese readings of Freud misunderstood him in turn.
SPEAKER
Craig Clunas is Professor Emeritus of the History of Art at the University of Oxford, and the author of numerous works on Chinese art and culture. In 2022 he curated the exhibition “Freud and China” at the Freud Museum London.
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Freud and China Exhibition Catalogue is available to purchase from the Freud Museum Shop.
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Tickets include admission to the Museum. The event is free for Freud Museum Members and Patrons. The event will be held on the first floor of the Museum during regular opening hours. Unfortunately the Freud Museum does not have step-free access at this time. Advance booking is highly recommended as capacity is limited.
Concessions/Members/Patrons: Please show proof of eligibility/membership card on arrival.
Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE
The purpose of this event is to raise funds for the Freud Museum London, which receives no regular public income.
