Collecting art books: the library of Leopoldo Cicognara and his bibliographic system

Abstract

Based on a newly discovered inventory, this article examines the early years of Francesco Leopoldo Cicognara’s book collection. Begun in 1798 as a suitable activity for a diplomat and as a cover for subversive contacts in Masonic circles, the collecting activity is described during the turbulent years between 1798 and 1804. Cicognara’s attitude and interests seem to have changed during these years, so that the focus shifted from purely bibliophilic interests to the content of the books themselves, turning the collection into a scholarly tool for research in art history.

Keywords

• leopoldo cicognara
• book collecting
• cisalpine republic
• italian republic
• history of libraries
• art historiography