Moon above the Clouds
The Life of Bishop Count Péter Vay and his Japanese Art Collection
Count Péter Vay (1863–1948) led an extraordinary life, even by the standards of his time. He was raised in a Protestant family, studied at numerous universities, then entered the diplomatic service of the Roman Catholic Church. His work was performed in his capacity as protonotary apostolic, and he was made a bishop. Commissioned by the pope, he spent many years visiting Catholic missions (schools, orphanages, and hospitals) throughout the world. His travels took him to the United States, Asia, Australia, and Europe. He was particularly attentive to the needs of the many impoverished emigrants who had been forced to abandon their homelands, his main objectives being to provide them with pastoral care, establish pastoral centres for migrant labourers, and help them adjust to life in their new home.
In 1907, during a visit to Japan, he purchased on behalf of the Museum of Fine Arts the collection of almost 2,400 Japanese items that became one of the most important and oldest collections of the Ferenc Hopp Museum.
Complemented by the present volume, it is our hope that the exhibition will contribute to a deeper and more authentic knowledge of this exceptional individual.