Some of these books concentrate on Chinese art and architecture like that of the architect Sir William Chambers, which lies at the root of the love of chinoisery, that influenced architectural and decorative styles throughout Europe (cat. 41). Other books are characterized by a keen interest in plants. We only have to refer to the magnifically illustrated Arts, métiers et cultures de la Chine, représentés dans une suite de gravures, exécutees d’après les dessins originaux envoyés de Pekin – Art du vernis (Paris, Nepveu, 1814-1815), by Pierre Le Chéron d’Incarville (1706-1757), a French Jesuit and amateur botanist who joined the China Mission in 1740, with a special interest in bamboo and lacquer trees (cat. 57). Also Robert Fortune’s, with A Journey to the tea Countries of China (London, John Murray, 1852), speaks to our imagination. Fortune was a plant hunter sent out to China to collect seeds of the tea shrub and to study its cultivation. It goes without saying that the Chinese were not really cooperative, so Fortune disguised himself as a Chinese and was able to introduce tea shrubs in India, with great success (cat. 69). The books in the catalogue are presented in chronological order following their date of publication, giving an image of the dissemination of knowledge about China in the Western world. In the catalogue a special chapter will be dedicated to photography, to be discussed on page 141. The present exhibition illustrates the age-long history of ouvertures made between China and Europe, with occasional advances to the United States of America and Japan. Our fascination for this vast country cannot stop growing. How to imagine the persistance of these voyagers, these explorers, travellers who are reponsable for our knowledge about this magnificent country ? Our warmest thanks are due to the collector who graciously and generously put his wonderful collection at our disposal, allowing a large public to enjoy it.
Annie De Coster Head curator of the Bibliotheca Wittockiana
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