More than 40 classic masterpiecesby Renaissance maestro Sandro Botticelli and prestigious Florentine artists of the era will be on display for the first time in Hong Kong at the The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Botticelli and His Times ─ Masterworks from the Uffizi exhibition. The exhibition, to be held from 23 October 2020 to 24 February 2021 at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, showcases the painting techniques, cultural values, and aesthetic achievements during the Renaissance period.

To mark the opening of the exhibition, a ceremony was held today (21 October), officiated by The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung; Secretary for Home Affairs, Caspar Tsui; Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong, Clemente Contestabile; Chairman of Museum Advisory Committee, Stanley Wong; Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Vincent Liu; Chairman of Chinese-Italian Cultural Society, Michelle Ong; and Director of Hong Kong Museum of Art, Dr Maria Mok.

Mr Cheung said the Club was honoured to support this world-class extravaganza. “To complement the exhibition, the Club is also delighted to support an array of educational activities, including guided tours, public talks and workshops, which will help to reach a broader audience, and to equip participants with multiple perspectives on Renaissance art, alongside the richness of European history and culture,” he said.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trustis the sole sponsor of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Botticelli and His Times ─ Masterworks from the Uffizi exhibition. The works, including “Adoration of the Magi” and “Portrait of Lorenzo the Magnificent”, are on loan from The Uffizi Galleries and other institutions.

The educational components include audio-guided tours, as well as illustrations and animations created by local designer and illustrator Thomas Siu and his team, which aim to help visitors better understand the history, visual elements and philosophy behind Botticelli’s masterpieces.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series is a partnership between the Trust and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Launched in 2012, it supports two to three major exhibitions every year which are complemented by educational programmes. Previous exhibitions have included A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum and Unlocking the Secrets - The Science of Conservation at The Palace Museum.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2019/20, the Club contributed HK$19.9 billion in duty and profits tax and HK$0.8 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.5 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.