Research Programs

 The Jane Fortune Research Program on Women Artists in the Age of the Medici

With the support of author and philanthropist Dr. Jane Fortune and in collaboration with the Advancing Women Artists Foundation (AWA), this research program focuses on the women artists who were active in the 16th-18th centuries. Based primarily in the Archivio di Stato in Florence, we comb the archives to uncover historical documentation on the lives and work of early modern women artists, especially those with connections to Florence. These findings are disseminated through publications, public lectures, walking tours and scholarly conferences. We encourage younger scholars to join in this quest by offering internships, training in archival research skills, advising, and opportunities for professional growth.    continue reading

Jewish History in Early Modern Europe Research Program 

The Medici Granducal Archive constitutes an impressive and unexplored historical reservoir of Jewish history. Its content opens new windows onto cross-sections of Jewish culture in early modern Italy and Europe. Recognizing the scholarly magnitude of this data, MAP researchers have been taking note of all historical documents making direct or indirect reference to Jews and Jewish culture that they encounter during their normal operations. So far approximately one thousand letters, almost all written in Italian, have been transcribed and entered in a rudimentary database (only available via special appointment) in the hopes of one day enlisting an expert in early modern Jewry to contextualize them and publish them online. These documents were found during the course of research that has only covered five percent of the four million letters that make up the Medici Granducal Archive; presumably there are thousands of other documents on Jews and Jewish culture waiting to be discovered in the remaining ninety-five percent of this immense archival collection continue reading