Sotheby’s Institute of Art – London held a two-day international conference in association with The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

We were delighted to welcome around 65 participants and 16 speakers from all over the world. The conference examined the Chinese colour print made between 1600 and 1800 as used in the book and sheet print formats. The conference also examined the place of the colour print in inventoried collections, and its reassessment in modern times. The conference was supported by The Muban Educational Trust, London.

Click here for conference participants' biographies and abstracts.

Click here for conference schedule.

Dr J S Edgren discusses the technology of colour printing in China.

Artist Wang Chao of the China National Academy of Fine Arts speaks on colour pigments used in traditional Chinese printmaking.

Panel discussion chaired by Dr Anne Farrer, Programme Director, MA in East Asian Art.


An evening reception for conference participants and a private view of Dreaming of Antiquity: colour woodblock prints by Wang Chao was held in the evening of Friday 18 June.

Dr Anne Farrer, Programme Director, MA in East Asian Art with David C. Levy, President, CIG Education Group.

Professor Jos Hackforth-Jones, Director, Sotheby's Institute of Art - London welcomes guests.

Dr Anne Farrer and Dr Clarissa von Spee, Curator, British Museum.

Artist Wang Chao with MA in East Asian Art student Rebecca Iverson.

MA students in East Asian Art Michelle Horrocks and Christine Ege.

Dr Clarissa von Spee, Jan Stuart, Keeper of the Department of Asia at the British Museum, and Dr Anne Farrer.