Sterling Clark in China

This catalogue presents the captivating story of museum founder Robert Sterling Clark's important but little-known 19089 scientific expedition to northwest China. Over a century later, the context and significance of his adventure are being explored, and bringing to light important cultural and archaeological discoveries. Trained as a civil engineer, Clark brought a scientist's curiosity to the planning of his journey, assembling a talented professional team that included a surveyor, a doctor and meteorologist, an artist, and the British naturalist Arthur de Carle Sowerby, as well as some thirty additional support staff. Departing from the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi province, the Clark expedition traversed the provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu, reaching as far westward as Lanzhou before returning to Taiyuan. In all, the team covered nearly 2000 miles, primarily on horse and mule, and the resulting research launched Sowerby's career as the leading authority on Chinese fauna. Beautifully illustrated with archival photographs, Sterling Clark in Chinadetails the artistic, historical, and cultural legacy of a fascinating voyage.

Thomas J. Loughman is assistant deputy director at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute.