Admonitions of the instructress to the court ladies

Exhibition
13 July – 24 August 2026
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Traditionally attributed to Gu Kaizhi (AD 345–406), 'The Admonitions Scroll' ('Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies'). Handscroll painting, China, 5–7th century AD.

Exhibition Details

Location: Room 91a
Accessed via Room 90, view the Museum map

Exhibition audio guide

Listen on the Audio app (Opens in new window), available on the App Store (Opens in new window), App Store (China mainland) (Opens in new window) and Google Play (Opens in new window).

Cost: Free
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About the Exhibition

This masterpiece is considered a milestone in Chinese painting history. Traditionally attributed to Gu Kaizhi (about AD 345–406), it probably dates to between AD 400 and 700. Due to conservation precautions, it can only be displayed for six weeks a year.

The Admonitions Scroll depicts a poetic text composed by an official Zhang Hua (about AD 232–300) aimed at correcting the behaviour of an empress. The Scroll carries inscriptions by later collectors including the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736–1795). The British Museum purchased the Scroll from Captain Clarence Johnson (1870–1937) who was in Beijing in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901). Originally a handscroll, the painting and later inscriptions were separated and mounted onto panels in 1914.

Also on display is Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River, another work painted in the style of Gu Kaizhi. This handscroll painting illustrates the story of Prince Cao Zhi's (AD 192–232) imaginary romantic encounter with a female deity. This display offers a rare opportunity to see two works preserving Gu's style side-by-side.

Booking Information

• This is a popular display, please book a free timed ticket (Opens in new window) and select your Admonitions Scroll timeslot (Opens in new window) in advance online. Please note a QR code will be available to help you book online at the entrance to the display and also at the Great Court Ticket Desk.
• Tickets will be released on Mondays for visits the following week, during the exhibition run.
• You can book a maximum of six tickets per group.
• For larger groups please call the Box Office on +44 (0)20 7323 8181 (phone lines open 10.00–16.50, Mon–Fri).
• Guided tours are not permitted.
• All visits are subject to our visitor guidelines and ticket terms and conditions including our resale policy and cancellation and refund policy.
• Members can visit the Admonitions Scroll without booking a free timed ticket during opening hours. But if you have a specific time slot in mind, then we'd advise booking in advance. Find out more about Membership.

Visiting Information

• The Admonitions Scroll will be on display from Monday 13 July – Monday 24 August 2026. Due to conservation precautions, it can only be displayed for six weeks each year.
• Your selected time slot is the time you'll need to join the queue in Room 91 on Level 4 of the Museum (Access via Room 90, view the Museum map). Please do not try to join the queue before the start of your 10-minute time slot. The team will aim to allow you to enter the gallery with the Scroll as soon as possible, but please expect a short wait once you join the queue.
• The display will close at 17.00 on Fridays and will not form part of the late opening on Fridays offer.
• Guided tours are not permitted.
• Hand-held photography and video recording (without flash) is allowed in the gallery for private purposes only.
• If you want to see the Admonitions Scroll throughout the year, a digital screen of the scroll is available in Room 33: China and South Asia on the First Floor.