The author of the catalog "Museo d’Arte Cinese di Parma" (Editions Franco, Reggio Emilia, 1965) is Fr. Giuseppe Toscano who met in person Bishop Conforti, founder of the Xaverian missionaries and of the museum. Fr. Toscano graduated in philosophy at the Catholic University of Milan in 1942, taking an interest in Buddhist studies (thesis) and Tibetan culture (he met with Giuseppe Tucci, expert of Tibet), before his departure for China (1946).
After a thorough assessment received by foreign experts from China, France, England and the United States on the artistic works of painting, the ceramics stamps, the ideograms of the bronzes, p. Toscano offers this very rare publication, a scientifically detailed investigation with an exemplary method, which lists and illustrates the Chinese masterpieces present at the museum: bronzes, ceramics, paintings, minor arts, coins and amulets. It is one of the first major studies on Chinese art in Italy, 658 pages with about 900 illustrations in black and white and color, published on the occasion of the 100th of the birth of Monsignor Conforti, founder of the Xaverian congregation of Foreign Missions. Even the photos are rare and amazing.
“His climb of the critical apparatus of the works of art - Fr Luigi Grazzi writes in a historical note - began by examining all the cataloging cards, and asking for further clarification from the surviving missionaries from the Chinese experience, mainly Frs. Bonardi, Grazzi and Stefani. Since then he set up a scheduling file in order to make the final judgment on every artistic piece of the Museum.”.
“Another serious difficulty to overcome - wrote Fr. Toscano in the preface - was the interpretation of the writings found on paintings and, more rarely, on bronzes and ceramics. Only those who know the Chinese language can fully understand that only a Chinese, and a highly educated Scholar, can approach the reading and interpretation of Chinese inscriptions, especially if they are ancient and written by hand. In fact, finding who could give me a right understanding, and a personal tranquility, was a struggle that lasted years...”
A second edition reprint of the volume is entitled " Arte e Cultura Cinese (Chinese Art and Culture)", published by the Cassa di Risparmio di Parma by Artegrafica Silva, Parma, in 1984. Much care was given to its photographic part with 265 color illustrations in 278 pages.
While the first edition (of 1965) is out of print, found online or in specialized bookstores, some copies of the second edition (1984) are still available at the museum.
Museo d'Arte Cinese di Parma, Edizioni Franco, Reggio Emilia, 1965 - Volume Out of Print
Arte e Cultura Cinese, Cassa di Risparmio di Parma, da Artegrafica Silva, Parma, 1984 - Price: €80.
