In rare visit to the United States, bronze masterpiece exhibition reveals devotion, power, and craftsmanship of Cambodia’s Khmer Empire through 200+ artifacts
July 15, 2025
Minneapolis—While Angkor’s awe-inspiring stone temples have captivated the world, the extraordinary bronze sculptures of the Khmer Empire have remained a hidden treasure—until recently. The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) invites visitors to discover Cambodia’s Khmer Empire in “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine,” on view October 25, 2025, through January 18, 2026. Organized in partnership with the Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts, France, the exhibition features major loans from the National Museum of Cambodia, and more than 50 pieces from the Guimet’s collection, bringing together over 200 objects, many on view in the United States for the first time.
“Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine” brings these exquisite and rare works to light, showcasing the empire’s remarkable craftsmanship and the sacred role of bronze in Southeast Asian culture. A centerpiece of the exhibition—and a revered Cambodian national treasure—is the monumental 7-foot-long Reclining Vishnu, a rare and extraordinary bronze sculpture composed of the deity’s upper torso and 41 additional fragments. Thanks to significant conservation efforts undertaken at the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France (C2RMF), and with essential funding from ALIPH (International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage), the sculpture can now be displayed in a way that more fully conveys its original grandeur and religious significance.
Over several years, conservators employed advanced techniques in bronze stabilization, digital modeling, and noninvasive imaging to assess the condition of each fragment, determine possible original alignments, and prevent further degradation. The meticulous process included structural reinforcement, cleaning to reveal original surface details, and the development of an innovative mounting system that respects both the fragility of the material and the integrity of its original form. These efforts culminate in a presentation that offers scholars and visitors alike a transformative glimpse into the spiritual and artistic heights of ancient Cambodia.
“‘Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine’ deepens our understanding of a remarkable civilization whose artistic legacy continues to inspire awe,” said Katie Luber, Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President of Mia. “We are honored to partner with the Musée Guimet and the National Museum of Cambodia to share these exceptional objects with our audiences, particularly here in Minneapolis, where Southeast Asian heritage and community are so vital to our cultural fabric.”
The exhibition is organized thematically to illuminate five key narratives:
- 1. The Origins of Copper Metallurgy
Cambodia’s bronze tradition began with simple tools and evolved into refined ritual art. Lost-wax casting, still used today, shaped early bronzes influenced by Indian religion and Khmer beliefs. Sites like Phnom Bayang reflect sacred continuity, where Hindu temples later became Buddhist shrines—revealing the fusion of technology, faith, and power in ancient Khmer metallurgy. - 2. Casting for the King
Royal patronage drove Cambodia’s bronze production. Inscriptions reveal kings and nobles commissioning sacred objects from specialized craftsmen. A royal foundry discovered in 2012 at Angkor Thom—active in the 11th century—confirms state-sponsored metallurgy. Archaeological finds, ranging from crucibles to casting waste, reveal how bronze artistry evolved into a powerful tool of political expression and divine kingship. - 3. Honoring the Gods
Once central to Khmer temple life, Bronze images ranged from monumental icons to small votive figures. Hinduism dominated under Shiva and Vishnu until Buddhism rose with Jayavarman VII. Serpent-sheltered Buddhas became iconic. Precious metal utensils and temple adornments underscored elite devotion, while bronze’s detail allowed vivid expression of the divine in religious art. - 4. New World, New Places, New Faith
After Angkor’s fall, Cambodia’s capital shifted south, and foreign trade reshaped its culture. Theravada Buddhism became dominant, with new Buddha imagery like the Maravijaya pose. Yet bronze casting endured. In 1917, George Groslier founded the School of Cambodian Arts, ensuring traditional crafts survived. Today, artists like Ith Sopheap continue this lineage of sacred metalwork. - 5. The West Mebon Vishnu: A Rebirth
In 1936, a villager’s dream led to the discovery of a colossal reclining Vishnu bronze at West Mebon. Depicting the god sleeping on Ananta, the statue symbolizes cosmic rebirth. Restored through Cambodian–French collaboration, it now appears with original fragments. Revered as a national treasure, this masterpiece epitomizes the spiritual and artistic heights of Khmer bronze art.
As the only U.S. venue for this landmark exhibition, Mia offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the finest Khmer bronze masterpieces ever assembled outside of Cambodia. Recent archaeological discoveries—such as the 2012 royal foundry at Angkor Thom—have transformed our understanding of Khmer metallurgy, revealing not only the scale and sophistication of ancient production but also the fusion of Hindu and Buddhist iconography over centuries. The works on view reflect both exquisite craftsmanship and spiritual depth, from monumental temple bronzes to delicate votive objects, bearing witness to an evolving artistic language in which divine figures transcended sectarian boundaries and merged into distinctly Khmer expressions of the sacred.
Visitors to this exhibition will experience more than just a display of ancient art. The exhibition is designed to evoke the awe and reverence that Angkor itself inspires. Interactive elements invite exploration of Khmer metallurgy and temple rituals, inspiring both curiosity and reflection.
“These bronzes embody the spiritual, artistic, and technological brilliance of ancient Khmer civilization,” said Liu Yang, PhD, Chair of Asian Art and Curator of Chinese Art at Mia. “For the first time, American audiences can experience the full breadth of Khmer bronze artistry—from its monumental scale to its sacred resonance—thanks to decades of archaeological research and unprecedented international collaboration.”
Mia will produce an English-language version of the original French-language catalogue co-produced by the Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts, France, and In Fine Editions. The publication will provide further scholarly insight into the artworks, archaeological research, and conservation efforts that underpin the exhibition. This exhibition is organized in partnership with the French National Museum of Asian Art – Guimet (Paris, France) with exceptional loans from the royal Government of Cambodia.
Exhibition Details
- • Title: “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine”
- • Dates: October 25, 2025–January 18, 2026
- • Location: Target Galleries, Mia
- • Cost: $20. Individual tickets will go on sale in September.
In partnership with
Presenting Sponsors include Support in Memory of C. Curtis Dunnavan, Gale Family Endowment. Generous Sponsor: Manitou Fund. Supporting Sponsors: Christie’s, Artful Living. Additional Support Provided by: Elizabeth Andrus and Roby Thompson.
For more information on “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine” and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.
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About “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine”
This exhibition exceptional loans from the National Museum of Cambodia, granted by the Royal Government, as part of the collaboration between the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the C2RMF (Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France), the EFEO (École française d’Extrême-Orient) and the the Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts, France. This unique exhibition brings together a collection of exceptional pieces, some of which are being exhibited for the very first time. These include statues, objects, and architectural elements, as well as photographs, casts, and graphic documents, placing them in their political, cultural, and technical context, as well as their archaeological and historical significance.
About the Guimet
As the French National Museum of Asian Arts, the Guimet offers a unique collection of over 60,000 objects, the nucleus of which was originally gathered by Emile Guimet (1836–1918), an industrialist from Lyon. Later transferred to Paris, the collection reflects Guimet’s passionate interest in Asian religions and cultures. Since the 1920s, it has received numerous artefacts from French archaeological missions in Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and China, as well as the Asian collections from the Louvre museum. Today, the Guimet houses a collection of Asian art spanning 7,000 years of history, from Afghanistan to Japan, India, China, Korea, and South-East Asia, from the Neolithic period to the present day—the most important collection of its kind in Europe and the most comprehensive in the world.
About the National Museum of Cambodia
The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh was established in 1920. It houses the world’s largest collection of Khmer art, including stone and bronze sculpture and ethnographic objects. Today, its collection includes over 14,000 objects from across mainland Southeast Asia, created before, during, and after the Khmer empire. Together with the Royal University of Fine Arts and its Department of Archaeology, the National Museum of Cambodia works to preserve Cambodian cultural traditions and to provide a source of pride and identity to the Cambodian people. Outside of Cambodia, the museum promotes the understanding of Cambodian arts and culture by lending objects from its collection for major international exhibitions.
About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.
General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.
For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.