Exhibition showcases Sino-Italian artistic exchange

An exhibition at the Tianjin Museum in the northern Chinese metropolis offered a vivid glimpse into the rich cultural exchanges between China and Italy centuries ago, with more than 150 Italian artifacts on display. The exhibition showcased how Chinese silk and decorative motifs found their way into the art of 18th-century European courts, while European tastes and designs came into contact with Chinese porcelain.

Jointly presented by the Tianjin Museum, the Tianjin Digital Art Museum and the Palazzo Madama — Civic Museum of Ancient Art in Turin, Italy, the exhibition, Crown of Glory: 18th-Century Italian Court Treasures from the House of Savoy, ran from Feb 10 to Aug 31. The event displayed centuries-old treasures from the House of Savoy, one of the most influential royal houses in Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Rather than simply showcasing the splendor of the Italian royal court, the exhibition traced how Chinese art and craftsmanship influenced European tastes and how Chinese artisans, in turn, responded to European demand, providing a window into the cultural interaction between the East and the West.

A French court gown from the collection of Palazzo Madama was among the highlights at the exhibition. According to Li Jun, deputy director of the artifacts research department at the Tianjin Museum and curator of the exhibition, the gown incorporates Chinese silk and embroidery techniques, offering evidence of the popularity of "chinoiserie" at the time. By the mid-18th century, the style had become a hallmark of European aristocrats and the wealthy bourgeoisie.

Another exhibit, a men's robe with decorative patterns, provides further evidence of the influence of Chinese craftsmanship.

The ivory-colored robe with floral patterns was made from precious Chinese silk produced using a combination of weaving, block printing and hand painting techniques. Such Oriental-style fabrics became highly fashionable in European society in the second half of the 18th century. They were used not only for luxury garments but also extensively in interior decoration.

The 18th century also witnessed the Enlightenment in Europe, with thinkers challenging feudal autocracy and religious constraints. The thoughts of Chinese philosophers emphasizing openness and rationality resonated with some Enlightenment ideas, says Yan Guodong, dean of the School of Foreign Studies at Nankai University and an expert in the history of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

The influence of cultural exchanges was even more evident in the exhibition's "East Meets West" section, where Chinese-style porcelain, round fans and bird-and-flower paintings showcased interactions between Chinese and European artistic traditions.

A Qianlong-period Guangcai porcelain plate with a Swedish coat of arms from the Tianjin Museum's collection was one example. Li says the piece was commissioned by Count Carl Gustaf Tessin, a prominent European art collector of the 18th century.

Such exchanges were by no means one-way; Chinese kilns also accepted bespoke orders from European aristocrats, producing armorial porcelain tailored to Rococo tastes, Li adds.

The exhibition attracted more than 24,000 visitors.