MARCH NEWSLETTER

March came and went, bringing with it a series of new projects and exciting ventures for the Medici Archive Project.

MAP has been working for nearly two years towards the opening of what promises to be a truly spectacular new exhibit at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. In collaboration with the Franklin Institute and the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence, Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy, opens on April 4th, 2009, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of a telescope. This exhibition highlights Galileo's accomplishments, his relationship to the ruling Medici family, his discoveries, and how the science, art, and politics of the Italian Renaissance shaped the birth of early modern astronomy.

Thanks in large part to the persuasive powers of Martha McGeary Snider (MAP’s Board Chair) and Dennis Wint (the Franklin's President and Chief Executive), this exhibition brings to the United States artifacts never before seen outside of Florence. Spectators will come face to face with one of only two remaining telescopes built by Galileo. In addition, Galileo’s legacy is on display through images and documents from the archives of the Medici collection.

Timed to coincide with the International Year of Astronomy, Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy will propel its audience back four centuries to a defining moment in the history of man. Advanced ticketing is recommended; the exhibition runs through September 7th, 2009. Please visit www2.fi.edu for more information.

Further proof of MAP’s continuing efforts to promote scholarship and research on the fundamental place of the Medici in Italian (and world) history was evidenced at the prestigious Renaissance Society of America Annual Meeting and Colloquium, held in Los Angeles, California from March 19th through 21st, 2009. The RSA advances learning in the field of Renaissance Studies, with special attention to interdisciplinary dialogue among various fields such as art, architecture, literature, music, medicine, law, philosophy, and science. MAP sponsored two separate panels, both organized by our Director of Research Alessio Assonitis, along with papers by Fellows Elena Brizio, Stefano Dall’Aglio, and Lisa Kaborycha. Alongside our scholars were professors Sharon Strocchia (Emory) and Philippe Canguilhem (Toulouse), and panelists Giorgio Caravale (Rome III), Lia Markey (Princeton Art Museum) and Mark Rosen (University of Texas at Dallas).

The panel entitled “Political and Religious Fuoriusciti in Renaissance Europe” included presentations by Brizio who spoke on “Mothers, Wives, and Daughters of Sienese Exiles, (1480-1555)” and Dall’Aglio’s “Anatomy of a Murder: The Death of Lorenzino de’ Medici in Venice between Florentine Fuoriusciti, Medicean Spies, and Imperial Ambassadors.” The second panel, “Perceptions of the Other in the Grand Ducal Medici Archive (1537-1743)” featured Kaborycha ‘s “‘What News?’: Reports From Medici Agents in 17th-Century London.” Congratulations to our Fellows and all participants for their impressive scholarship, with special thanks to Alessio for his inspired leadership.

Alessio Assonitis and Sheila Barker, assistant professor of Art History at the American University in Rome and former MAP fellow, were also featured in the March 25th edition of Bloomberg.com, commenting on the famous black wine of Montalcino and on Citigroup Chairman Richard Parsons' vineyard.

We at the Medici Archive Project are thrilled with what 2009 has brought thus far and look forward with great anticipation to an exciting spring.