Ever since Stephanie Meyer’s young adult series Twilight hit bookshelves almost a decade ago, vampires have become penetrated so many aspects of popular culture that the mythical creatures are now most often the subject of mockery.

However, an exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei will draw on the oft-forgotten historical and cultural aspects of the fanged creatures.

“Dracula: History and Art of Vampires,” which opens this Saturday July 5th, will showcase more than 80 items that show the “romantic and legendary side of vampires,” organizers say.

The exhibition will feature collections from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Bram Stoker Estate, as well as historical, artistic and literary pieces from other museums, foundations and private collectors.

Items on display include a 16th century portrait of Vlad III Dracula — whose patronymic inspired Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel of the same name, Spanish painter Francisco Goya’s prints of bat-like creatures, and Oscar-winning costumes from Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film Dracula starring Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves. The exhibition will also feature the original manuscript and first edition of the novel Dracula.

Organizers say the museum has also worked with an Italian designer to recreate the home of Dracula.

The exhibition will run everyday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. until October 5th at the National Museum of History. Regular admission is $280 NT, with student tickets priced at $250 NT and group tickets at $220 NT each.

 

Image via Universal Studios