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So The Love is going:
“Is this your definition of 'NEXT'?”
And I'm shrugging him off, for to me “next” bears no sign -no stigma - of the instantaneous, even if definitions specify immediacy.
This is the next blog, isn't it?
So what the fuss is all about?
The Bibliotheca Hertziana is not about to go anywhere...
So what is this Bibliotheca Hertziana?
Well it is a private library of art history, first funded at Palazzo Zuccari by Henriette Hertz (1846-1913), who was in the habit to invite artists at her home, so they could study Rome and its history.
Nowadays the library belongs to the Max Planck Institute for the Arts and boasts of a vast collection (circa 250,000 volumes) of documents, books, and photos, in just about every language and covering a vast number of subjects (as long as it's art).
The library had been closed since 2001 because part of the edifice – a construction done in the seventies - was showing risks of falling apart. After all these years, 22 million euro of work, it finally reopened last week and it was exceptionally possible to visit the site and steal a peek both at the ancient building as well as the brand new installations. Following a tip-off from a friend, I jumped on the opportunity since the library is normally only opened for those who are accredited by a university, and for the purpose of research.
The building is situated on Via Gregoriana, 28 – just above the Spanish Steps - and the main entrance is the magnificent door which illustrated my previous post, though the library actually occupies several buildings.
It is built upon the remains of a (small) part of the gardens from the villa of Lucullus, a vast domain which is also spread underneath the nearby church and cloister of Trinità dei Monti, as well as part of the Villa Medici. We were brought to the basement where a few remains of mosaics can still be seen.
The Palazzo Zuccari itself was built in the 16th century and you can still see that type of ceilings in the older parts of the building:
Or on the walls:
Apparently, the building is referred to in D'Annunzio's novel “Il Piacere”, but I'd have to read that again as I keep no memory of the fact (mind you, I read the book when still at University, so about 25 years ago, which explains a lot. I do remember quite liking the story, which is very romantic and decadent).
What wasn't and isn't in any book – yet – is the new glass structure put in place by Spanish architect Juan Navarro Baldeweg, who was entrusted with the restoration work.
The windows are carefully tilted to allow a maximum of indirect light to come through the inner courtyard into the building, and not blind the scholars hard at work.
A few bits of old Roman empire artefacts are on display in the courtyard, but I am not sure they are actually originals (it is unlikely).
The courtyard can be sheltered from the sun in summer: there are lines to run curtains across the well at the level of the upper terrace.
Because that building has a FANTASTIC terrace with a stunning view of the city.
I don't think I've ever wanted to become a librarian that badly before.
And you all know – or should – how much I love books.
Le sigh...
As usual, more pictures are available from my Flickr account.
“Is this your definition of 'NEXT'?”
And I'm shrugging him off, for to me “next” bears no sign -no stigma - of the instantaneous, even if definitions specify immediacy.
This is the next blog, isn't it?
So what the fuss is all about?
The Bibliotheca Hertziana is not about to go anywhere...
So what is this Bibliotheca Hertziana?
Well it is a private library of art history, first funded at Palazzo Zuccari by Henriette Hertz (1846-1913), who was in the habit to invite artists at her home, so they could study Rome and its history.
Nowadays the library belongs to the Max Planck Institute for the Arts and boasts of a vast collection (circa 250,000 volumes) of documents, books, and photos, in just about every language and covering a vast number of subjects (as long as it's art).
The library had been closed since 2001 because part of the edifice – a construction done in the seventies - was showing risks of falling apart. After all these years, 22 million euro of work, it finally reopened last week and it was exceptionally possible to visit the site and steal a peek both at the ancient building as well as the brand new installations. Following a tip-off from a friend, I jumped on the opportunity since the library is normally only opened for those who are accredited by a university, and for the purpose of research.
The building is situated on Via Gregoriana, 28 – just above the Spanish Steps - and the main entrance is the magnificent door which illustrated my previous post, though the library actually occupies several buildings.
It is built upon the remains of a (small) part of the gardens from the villa of Lucullus, a vast domain which is also spread underneath the nearby church and cloister of Trinità dei Monti, as well as part of the Villa Medici. We were brought to the basement where a few remains of mosaics can still be seen.
The Palazzo Zuccari itself was built in the 16th century and you can still see that type of ceilings in the older parts of the building:
Or on the walls:
Apparently, the building is referred to in D'Annunzio's novel “Il Piacere”, but I'd have to read that again as I keep no memory of the fact (mind you, I read the book when still at University, so about 25 years ago, which explains a lot. I do remember quite liking the story, which is very romantic and decadent).
What wasn't and isn't in any book – yet – is the new glass structure put in place by Spanish architect Juan Navarro Baldeweg, who was entrusted with the restoration work.
The windows are carefully tilted to allow a maximum of indirect light to come through the inner courtyard into the building, and not blind the scholars hard at work.
A few bits of old Roman empire artefacts are on display in the courtyard, but I am not sure they are actually originals (it is unlikely).
The courtyard can be sheltered from the sun in summer: there are lines to run curtains across the well at the level of the upper terrace.
Because that building has a FANTASTIC terrace with a stunning view of the city.
I don't think I've ever wanted to become a librarian that badly before.
And you all know – or should – how much I love books.
Le sigh...
As usual, more pictures are available from my Flickr account.
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