Hong Kong Heritage Museum offers multimedia immersive experience of "Mona Lisa" and showcases Renaissance treasures (with photos)
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Addressing the opening ceremony held today (April 30), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, remarked that this exhibition is undoubtedly a highlight of this year's French May Arts Festival. Through an immersive digital journey, complemented by outstanding artworks on loan from exceptional museums and art institutions, visitors can step inside the frame and experience new life from classical heritage. By bringing "Mona Lisa" to visitors' doorsteps, the exhibition offers the community and visitors a unique opportunity to engage with art in a way that is interactive, educational, and deeply moving.
Other officiating guests included the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe; Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Nicholas Hunsworth; Co-chairman of the Board of French May Arts Festival Ms Pansy Ho; the Vice President of the Grand Palais Immersif, Mr Vincent Larnicol; the Chief Curator of Italian Painting of the Sixteenth Century of the Musée du Louvre, Mr Vincent Delieuvin; the Curator and Art Historian of the Musée national de la Renaissance, Dr Matteo Gianeselli; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and the Museum Director of the HKHM, Mr Brian Lam.
Mona Lisa "narrates" the stories behind her mysterious smile
The first section of the exhibition "Meet Mona Lisa", is centred on Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the "Mona Lisa". The Musée du Louvre and the Grand Palais Immersif specially created a multimedia immersive experience for Hong Kong. Composing the extraordinary journey of this portrait spanning more than 500years into six chapters, Mona Lisa herself narrates the captivating stories behind that mysterious smile of hers, in a monologue.
Leonardo da Vinci's precious original manuscripts showcase the captivating charm of the Renaissance
The second section "Portraying the Renaissance" highlights a selection of Renaissance art treasures from several renowned museums and cultural institutions, including the Musée national de la Renaissance and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, in diverse forms of art such as paintings, prints, sculptures, decorative art, and everyday objects. Most exhibits are being shown in Hong Kong for the first time, including four precious Leonardo da Vinci manuscripts, and works by other artists of the Renaissance period, for example, "The Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist" by Luca Penni, "The Crucifixion" by Noël Bellemare, and Michelangelo Buonarroti's "The Rebellious Slave" (plaster reproduction cast using moulds).
Exhibits from the HKHM collection and paintings by Chinese Mainland artist Xu Lei that echo Renaissance art are also on display, enabling a dialogue across time and space and highlighting the influence of this cultural movement that originated in 14th century Europe. Furthermore, the museum lobby features a giant 5-metre animated installation that blends Hong Kong-style neon elements with classic art symbols to create a unique Hong Kong version of the "Mona Lisa".
A series of talks, film screenings, public guided tours and tactile experience workshops will be held during the exhibition, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the "Mona Lisa" and the captivating charm of Renaissance art. The first talk will be held on May 1 at 3pm at the Theatre at the HKHM. The speaker, Mr Delieuvin, will visit Hong Kong to share his insights on "Why 'Mona Lisa'? Discover What's So Special About the Most Famous Painting in the World".
To ensure a better visiting experience, crowd control measures for the exhibition will be implemented with flexibility. In the event of overcrowding, timed admission ticketing may be arranged. Visitors are advised to follow on-site notices and to stay updated through the HKHM's official website, Instagram or VisitHKMuseums on Xiaohongshu.
The exhibition will be held at Thematic Galleries 3, 4 and 5, 1/F of the HKHM. Admission is free. The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the French May Arts Festival, jointly organised by the HKHM and the French May Arts Festival. The title sponsor is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, with support from the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/exhibitions/monalisa2026.html.
Ends/Thursday, April 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:52
Issued at HKT 21:52
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