The Four Treasures and the Art of Calligraphy: exhibition at Museo

The Four Treasures and the Art of Calligraphy

Where: Museo d'Arte Orientale E. Chiossone, Piazzale Giuseppe Mazzini 4, Genoa.

When: 26 April–11 October 2026 (open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–18:30). Admission to the exhibition is included with the museum ticket.

Opened on 26 April, this temporary exhibition focuses on calligraphy in Chinese and Japanese traditions, centering on the “Four Treasures”: brush, paper, ink and inkstone. The display combines works from the Chiossone collection, contributions from the CELSO Institute of Oriental Studies and a group of seals from the Museo del Sigillo in La Spezia.

Highlights

• Calligraphic sheets and manuscripts illustrating the development of written forms and symbolic language.
• Historical and material variations of the Four Treasures.
• A selection of seals and practical tools linked to the calligraphic craft.
• Educational materials explaining techniques, aesthetics and the contemplative aspects of calligraphy.

Curated by Alberto de Simone and Emanuela Patella and organized with support from the Consulate General of Japan in Italy, the exhibition invites visitors to slow down and engage with calligraphy as both an artistic practice and a philosophical discipline.

Practical information

• Period: 26/04/2026 - 11/10/2026
• Opening hours: Tue–Sun 9:00–18:30
• Admission: included in the museum ticket
• Curators: Alberto de Simone, Emanuela Patella
• Organized by: CELSO Institute of Oriental Studies, Department of Asian Studies

Tip: allow at least one hour to appreciate the materials on display and the contextual explanations about the cultural and historical meaning of the Four Treasures.