RICOSTRUZIONE STORICA DEL COLLEZIONISMO D'ARTE GIAPPONESE DI ERA MEIJI IN ITALIA SETTENTRIONALE. SVILUPPI DI UN MERCATO PARALLELO AGLI SCAMBI COMMERCIALI E DIPLOMATICI.

This research delves into the experiences of Italian entrepreneurs, diplomats, and other notable figures who first developed a keen interest in Japanese art and significantly influenced the enthusiasm for collecting oriental manufacturing products in Italy. They explored Japan for diplomatic reasons or in search of healthy silkworm seeds following an epidemic disease of the worms in Europe during Japan's transition from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the Meiji era (1868-1912). These characters have been examined in scientific studies from a historical perspective, but their contribution to fostering Italian enthusiasm for Japanese art has never been deepened. This study focuses on their collections and other aspects of their involvement with the artistic sphere. In fact, it is possible to perceive the foundation of Italian impressions of Japanese art and initial demonstrations of interest in Japanese art and craft through diverse sources such as diplomatic reports, personal diaries, letters, and photographs. Many individuals were captivated by the beauty of the prints, illustrated books, lacquers, bronzes, ivories, and porcelain, they collected avidly for personal pleasure driven by a strong desire to learn about a new culture. For example, Paolo Velini, Giacomo Bolmida, Giovanni Battista Imberti, and the Bertone brothers assembled collections that remained private and mostly unknown until this research. Some individuals transformed their passion into business activities, like Carlo Orio and Pietro Beretta who assisted the Duke of Genoa Tommaso di Savoia in acquiring artifacts in Japan. Others, like Enrico Andreossi, expanded their collecting interests to include Western art. This fascination with Japanese art extended to diplomats, politicians, and members of the Italian navy, such as Cristoforo Robecchi, Camillo Candiani, Carlo Grillo who brought back works of Japanese art for themselves and on commission. Ultimately, these individuals played a crucial role in shaping the artistic tastes of their time, towards the end of the century, they also contributed to international exhibitions. Interest in Japanese art culminated in the opening of specialised stores, such as the Tognacca and Giglio-Tos shop in Turin, aiming to satisfy the new tastes of Italians who were ready to collect all kinds of artifacts, including woodblock printed books that are kept in some public libraries in northern Italian cities.