Ancient Chinese Painting Collection at the Specialized Library of Music and Visual Arts

On May 16, 2025, the University of Pécs hosted a remarkable cultural event: the official handover ceremony of the unique series titled A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to the Specialized Library of Music and Visual Arts 

This extraordinary 67-volume collection, containing over 12,000 artworks, represents the largest and most complete compilation of ancient Chinese paintings in the world and is now part of the Specialized Library of Music and Visual Arts

The collection is the result of 18 years of joint work by Zhejiang University and the Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage. The project's aim was to build a bridge between past and present, East and West, while preserving the centuries-old heritage of China's visual culture. 

The Significance of the Collection 

The uniqueness of the collection lies in the fact that it features reproductions of paintings from the collections of 263 museums and cultural institutions. The artworks were originally created on a variety of materials—paper, silk, brocade, damask, and canvas—and thanks to state-of-the-art imaging and digital processing technologies, the reproductions capture the details and atmosphere of the originals with exceptional accuracy. 

This collection is not only a testament to China’s artistic heritage but also forms part of the collective cultural memory of humanity. 

The Handover Ceremony 

At the official handover ceremony, dr. Attila Miseta, Rector of the University of Pécs, emphasized the value of the collection: 
"We live in a material world, but there are things whose value cannot be measured in forints, dollars, or euros. This collection is one of them." 
He added that this donation forms an important bridge between past and present, both in the realms of science and culture. 

Dr. István Tarrósy, Director of the International Centre at the University of Pécs, spoke about the unique nature of the collection: 

"It is of global historical significance that a country has collected its artistic heritage in such a comprehensive way and presented it to the world. This is not just research material—it is an unparalleled opportunity for cultural dialogue." 

The event also featured a cultural performance: Sheng Mingao, a former student of the University of Pécs and a classical vocalist, performed the Chinese folk song Guan Ju (关雎) – also known as “The Bird in the Fishing Net”, a cornerstone of ancient Chinese literature and the Confucian tradition. 

Dr. Péter Lengyel, Dean of the Faculty of Music and Visual Arts, highlighted the collection’s educational significance: 

"From an educational perspective, this is a tremendous opportunity. Our students can now hold, study, and interpret works of art that were previously only accessible on the walls of distant museums." 

This collection offers insight into a significant era of Chinese painting not only for researchers, art historians, and university students, but also for all who believe that art is a universal language and that within this language lies the key to future international dialogue.