The Archive of a 19th-Century Self-Made Man. Santo Varni Sculptor, Collector and 'Connoisseur'

Abstract

Following the discovery of a fundamental part of his archives, it is now possible to review the eclectic figure of Santo Varni (1807-1885). Known as a skilled sculptor, Santo Varni was also a collector, connoisseur, advisor, merchant, superintendent, and «restorer». His ingenious and multifaceted personality is documented starting from the archival papers he preserved and catalogued.

Keywords

• santo varni
• connoisseurship
• collecting
• museology
• giovan battista cavalcaselle