Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan Visit Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art

First Lady Melania Trump accompanied Madame Peng Liyuan, spouse of Chinese President Xi Jinping, for a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art on Thursday. The cultural exchange took place following an opening ceremony for President Xi Jinping's arrival at the White House.

The two first ladies toured the museum's Peacock Room, an exhibit featuring Chinese blue and white porcelain from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). They also viewed James McNeill Whistler's painting "Princess from the Land of Porcelain," with curators providing details about its history.

Body language expert Judi James observed that both women appeared immersed in the art, suggesting a sense of awe. James noted that Melania Trump's choice of a black Alexander McQueen jacket and skirt, with white piping details, bore a resemblance to Madame Peng's navy blue cheongsam dress. According to James, this mirroring suggests respect, possibly stemming from Peng Liyuan's background as a renowned opera singer and a Major General in China's People's Liberation Army.

The Peacock Room itself, designed by architect Thomas Jeckyll and painted by Whistler in the 1870s, is adorned in blue, green, and gold. It features another Whistler painting depicting a battle between 'Art and Money.' The collection was originally commissioned by shipping magnate Frederick R Leyland, later acquired by Charles Lang Freer, and eventually by the Smithsonian in 1920.

Following their tour of the Peacock Room, Trump and Peng visited Gallery 13, which showcases imperial Chinese art from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1912).

The cultural exchange concluded with a performance by a children's choir from the Hope Chinese School. Thirty-six students performed two songs, "Jasmine Flower" and "Songs & Smiles," while waving Chinese and American flags. Madame Peng, a former opera singer, sang along and clapped, while Mrs. Trump applauded and offered words of encouragement.

This visit marks a continuation of interactions between the two first ladies. They previously met in April 2017 at the president's club at Mar-a-Lago. Melania Trump also accompanied President Trump to Beijing in November 2017, where they visited the Forbidden City and a primary school.