Deadline: 30 June 2024
Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice has issued a new call for applications addressed to PhDs and postdocs aged 40 and under, for two-month residential fellowships dedicated to interdisciplinary research projects relevant to materials held in the archives of the Fondazione and Venice.
The Fondazione Giorgio Cini’s antique books collection was begun at the time of the creation of the Foundation thanks to the donation by founder Vittorio Cini of a collection of 15th- and 16th-century volumes previously kept in his residence of Monselice Castle.
Exceptionally interesting because of its rare illustrated editions and many items unique worldwide, the antique books holding is the sum of the collections of Victor Masséna, Prince of Essling, the bibliophile Tammaro De Marinis and Vittorio Cini himself. Over time the collection has gradually been increased through further donations from illustrious scholars, such as Antonio Muñoz and Alessandro Dudan, and the significant recent bequest made by another generous private collector, the Milanese lawyer Cesare Grassetti. The over 3,000 items in the collection of incunables and cinquecentine include many beautifully crafted books meant for a cultural elite, or commissioned in religious milieus.
But there are also numerous works for a more popular readership often supplemented with pictures to make up for shortcomings in literacy of the less educated classes.
This makes the Fondazione Giorgio Cini antique books holding one of the most important collections of Renaissance illustrated books in the world. In addition to the usual research tools, in the Nuova Manica Lunga scholars can consult the valuable specialist library once owned by Tammaro De Marinis, which provides easy access to indices, essays and catalogues of fundamental importance in the study of antique books.
Here follow some research guidelines:
- Ancient book collections in the 20th century
- Illustration and mise en page of Venetian 15th and 16th century books
- 17th century printed books held in the Fondazione Giorgio Cini
- Personal libraries (Munoz, Dudan, Salvadori); illustrated books
- Book illustration
- Exchanges, relations and collaborations among typographers in 15th and 16th century-Venice
- Modern antiques: the book trade through sales catalogues
FMRSI 