Archival Studies with the Medici Archive Project

SAMUEL H. KRESS ARCHIVAL STUDIES SEMINAR.   

 This past June, the Medici Archive Project offered a two-week intensive seminar (2.5 contact hours daily, six days a week) on archival research strategies applied to historical and art historical disciplines with a strong on-site component. Originally intended for students who have completed our online paleography course, the course was eventually opened to graduate students specializing in Renaissance and early modern studies. The course was team-taught by Staff, colleagues, and current and former MAP Fellows at the library of Santa Maria Novella; the coordination of these collective efforts was handled by Lisa Goldenberg Stoppato. Graduate students in art history who participated in the seminar included students from Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Indiana, Rutgers, Washington University at St. Louis, Trinity College Dublin, University of Amsterdam, University of Melbourne and University of British Columbia. The aim of this seminar was to teach young scholars how to navigate Italian archives (with particular emphasis on the Florentine collections), how to identify and understand various documentary typologies, and how to develop archival research strategies relevant to their own academic projects. 

Syllabus:

Seminar on Paleography and Archival Studies - 1

"Art and Material Culture in Early Modern Italy"

Monday, 27 June 2011 – Friday, 9 July 2011
Santa Maria Novella Library, Florence

Director of Studies
Lisa Goldenberg Stoppato

27 June – 2 July (Week One)

Monday, 27 June, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
Manuscripts and Documents – Maurizio Arfaioli and Lisa Goldenberg Stoppato.
Introduction to the reading and analysis of archival documents. Topics include: philological and linguistic issues regarding the evolution of Italian primarily, as compared to Latin, Spanish, and French; principles of paleography; conventions for editing transcriptions for publication; and theoretical concerns regarding the presentation of archival documents in scholarly publications. Following this, exercises in reading different types of manuscripts and documents at the ASF. Special problems to be addressed include losses, unknown dating, unknown authorship, phonetic spelling, etc. A reference bibliography for archival research and paleography will be provided.
 
Tuesday, 28 June, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella
Archives in Florence – Maurizio Arfaioli and Lisa Goldenberg Stoppato.
An explanation of the history and archival holdings of Italian archives with special emphasis on the Archivio di Stato in Florence. Topics include: the organization of the various collections (fondi) of the ASF and their sub-divisions; the ASF in relation to the territory and other public and private archives in Italy; ASF fondi from religious sources will be discussed, as will the typologies of conventual and church documents they contain, including the books of Ricordanze (chronicles), Entrata ed uscita (account books), Vestizione (profession of vows), Debitori e creditori (debts and credits), and Obblighi perpetui (masses and orations).
 
Wednesday, 29 June, 4-6:30 pm at at Santa Maria Novella.
The Medici Granducal Archive: Organization and Structure - Alessio Assonitis.
An in-depth historical and structural analysis of the vast Medici Granducal Archive (Mediceo del Principato, 1529-1753) at the ASF, seen in context with related fondi such as the Mediceo avanti il Principato (1373-1557), the Miscellanea Medicea, the Carteggio d’Artisti and the Guardaroba Medicea. Research tools for navigating these fondi will be demonstrated, while particular attention will be given to the two on-line databases for researching the Mediceo del Principato and the Mediceo avanti il Principato. Analysis and discussion of the Mediceo del Principato will include a focused explanation of the different typologies of documents found therein.

Thursday, 30 June, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
Letters: Production, Reception, Form and Content – Maurizio Arfaioli and Alessio Assonitis.
Theoretical and historical discussion of epistolary correspondence, beginning with an explanation of the many stages of letter-writing at court (the draft, the minute book, the reply, etc.), and how these stages are reflected by the organization of the Mediceo del Principato. Also under consideration are the roles of scribes, secretaries, and couriers. There will be a comparison of the rhetorical and structural modalities of epistolary correspondence, such as the Humanist letter, letters of recommendation, petitions, letters of condolence, reports, ciphered letters, newsletters, etc. Exercises in paleographic skills will be conducted with letters written by artists.

Friday, 1 July, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
The  ‘Guardaroba Medicea’: Inventories et alia - Lisa Goldenberg Stoppato.
Discussion of the organization of the administrative office devoted to the provision, supervision, documentation, and circulation of material goods at the Medici Granducal court, including furniture, silverware, works of art, etc., by means of an analysis of the written records generated by this office. Exercises in paleography to be conducted with a first-hand analysis of documentary material from this archival corpus, with particular emphasis on the problems surrounding the identification artistic objects and their specific role within Medici culture.
 
Saturday, 2 July, 12:00 am
Archive of the Archconfraternity of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in Rome (in situ visit) – Julia Vicioso.

4 July – 9 July (Week Two)
 
Monday, 4 July, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
Legal and Financial Archives - Elena Brizio.
Exploration of forensic and financial records in Sienese archival collections, covering the period 1380-1550.  Seen through the lenses of Sienese law and then Florentine law, topics will include jury verdicts, legal opinions, criminal indictments and inheritance disputes, along with financial documents regarding debts, loans, taxes and levies of various kinds, etc. Also under consideration will be state and church records such as birth, baptism, death, and marriage documents. Paleographic exercises to be conducted using birth and death certificates, tax registers, court documents, and account books.
 
Tuesday, 5 July, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
Notarial Archives: Contracts and Wills – Nicoletta Baldini.
A focused examination of legal contracts and wills in the notarial archives of Florence.  Aspects to be treated include the notarial profession, the formulaic conventions of these legal documents, and their archival organization. Special emphasis will be given to the analysis of inventories found within wills. Paleographic exercises to be conducted with contracts and wills relating to art, artists, and collectors.
 
Wednesday, 6 July, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
The Archivio Segreto Vaticano: History  and Structure - Julia Vicioso.
A survey of the most comprehensive archive in Europe. Examination of specific collections such as Council reports; papal archives; archives of religious orders; the offices of the Curia; pastoral visits; papal nunciatures; and various special collections. The form and content of papal bulls and briefs will be analyzed closely.
 
Thursday, 7 July, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
Florence and Cultural Exchange:  Mantua, Milan, Venice and Turin –Roberta Piccinelli.
Analysis and discussion of the documentary material pertaining to the artistic and diplomatic exchanges between Florence and other major Early Modern Italian centers. The form and content of letters from Medici ambassadors and agents will be analyzed closely in the course of paleographic exercises.
 
Friday, 8 July, 4-6:30 pm at Santa Maria Novella.
Architecture and Archives: Vasari’s Corridoio – Francesca Funis.
Discussion of the history of one of Florence’s most important structures: the Corridoio Vasariano. Emphasis will be placed on its planning, construction, and function and on the documentary evidence housed in the ASF. Maps and plans will also be examined.

Saturday, 9 July, 11:00 am
Archive of the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore (in situ visit) – Dr. Lorenzo Fabbri.

Instructors:

Maurizio Arfaioli (Ph.D., Warwick, History)
Alessio Assonitis (Ph.D., Columbia, Art History)
Nicoletta Baldini (Laurea, Firenze, Art History)
Sheila Barker (Ph.D., Columbia, Art History)
Elena Brizio (Ph.D., Firenze, History)
Luciano Cinelli (Laurea, Roma; Diploma, Scuola di Archivistica, Paleografia e Diplomatica, Archivio di Stato di Firenze)
Francesca Funis (Ph.D., Firenze, Architectural History)
Lisa Goldenberg Stoppato (Laurea, Firenze, Art History)
Roberta Piccinelli (Ph.D, Teramo, Art History)
Julia Vicioso (Ph.D., Roma, Architectural History; Diploma, Scuola Vaticana di Paleografia, Diplomatica e Archivistica)
 

Students: