Reading the Renaissance: Western Books and Manuscripts from the 10th to the 17th Century
The exhibition Reading the Renaissance: Western Books and Manuscripts from the 10th to the 17th Century formally opened at the Shanghai Library East, scheduled for public viewing from June 27 through October 11, 2026. This landmark exhibition represents a highly coordinated international collaboration. It is organized jointly by the Medici Center Shanghai (MeCS) and Yunmiao Culture, in institutional partnership with the Medici Archive Project (MAP) and Zaiyi. The initiative also operates under the institutional patronage of the Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai.
Co-curated by Dr. Alessio Assonitis, Director of the Medici Archive Project, and Professor Fan Jingzhong, the exhibition constitutes a unprecedented milestone in Chinese curatorial and book history. The display synthesizes eight centuries of Western intellectual development through a rigorous selection of 119 rare items, including medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, incunabula, and early printed texts.
The exhibition catalogue was co-authored by MAP Fellow Davide Baldi Bellini and MeCS Fellow Liu Baoyun, both of whom served as assistant curators for the exhibition. Operational synergy and logistical diplomacy between the scholarly hubs of Florence and Shanghai were coordinated by Henry Fong.
A Distinct Identity
The Medici Center Shanghai (MeCS) hopes to become China’s premier Renaissance research institute, whose aim is to fund original scholarship and inspire a deeper interest of Italian Renaissance culture in China through events, research and teaching. MeCS will serve both scholars and non-academics, acting as a hub for Renaissance studies in China. Crucially, the center provides important links with Western scholarship through its relationship with the Medici Archive Project, a core part of which will be the opportunity to attend an advanced archival study program in Florence.
An Overview
MeCS will provide an in-depth education for students, aspiring academics and interested professionals offering a curriculum covering the contextual history of this period and providing training in the key skills needed to undertake scholarly research.
The institute will have access to Renaissance primary sources (volumes and manuscripts) for research allowing its students the unique opportunity of learning first hand from original sources whilst in China.
It will operate as a hub for both Renaissance scholars and enthusiasts in China.
Crucially it will provide important links with western scholarship through the work of the Medici Archive Project in Florence, a core part of which will be the opportunity to attend the advanced archival studies course in Florence.
Mission: To inspire a deeper interest in the understanding of Renaissance history and Italian culture in China through research and teaching.
Vision: To be the first and most prestigious research and teaching center focused on Renaissance Studies in China.
Teaching Aims
The core of our work in Shanghai will focus on delivering a number of courses a year providing preparatory training for Chinese scholars, students and professionals for their research and/or further learning prior to attending the advanced courses and/or “on-site” learning in Florence. Through this intense two week combined course (half in Shanghai, half in Florence) they will receive a good first-hand training in Italian Renaissance culture. As alumni of both MAP Florence and the MeCS, we hope to maintain connected with students for future programs.
Research Activity
MeCS will become the main research center for Renaissance Studies in China, hosting lecture series, seminars and exhibitions, providing opportunities for engaging discourse and encouraging its students to collaborate on and share research.
Visit us at www.medici-sh.org
