The inventory of the treasure. from the ducal collections to the virtual showcases of the state numismatic portal.
In conjunction with the opening to the public of the Medagliere, a new exhibition itinerary, hosted by the Palatina Library, the Archaeological Museum and the spaces of the steps below the Farnese Theatre, retraces some aspects and moments of the ducal numismatic collecting from the Farnese to the Bourbons, passing through the historical events of the Archaeological Museum before and after the Unification of Italy. The exhibition is promoted by the General Directorate for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, with the scientific coordination of the Observatory for Numismatic Heritage of the Mibact, and created in close collaboration with the Monumental Complex of the Pilotta.
On display are unpublished materials and documents.
Through the common thread of historical inventories, integrated with ancient and modern volumes, coins, medals, dies and punches, original and reproduced archive documents, archaeological finds, portraits, engravings and prints, the story reveals for the first time the choices and care that led to the formation and increase of the numismatic heritage, seen as a tool and reflection of dynastic and institutional identity, and the efforts to protect and enhance it in different eras.
An online guide for the real virtual visit .
To facilitate real and virtual enjoyment by an increasingly wider audience, including schools, capable of reflecting the new museum identity of the Complex, visitors will be able to observe the materials up close and delve deeper into the themes on display by consulting the virtual showcases of the Medagliere and downloading the two-volume catalogue by connecting before, during and after the visit to the exhibition with the Portale Numismatico dello Stato. The technical and graphic production is by the Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano.
On the occasion of the exhibition event, the Study Meeting “Italian Medal Collectors: Museum System and National Identity. Technological Innovation, Experiences and Projects in Comparison between Protection and Valorization will be held, as well as the presentation of the exhibition catalogue published by the Notiziario del Portale Numismatico dello Stato series.
“The inventory of the treasure. From the ducal collections to the virtual showcases of the state numismatic portal”
- Promoting body: Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, General Directorate of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape; Monumental Complex of Pilotta
- Location: Monumental Complex of the Pilotta, Parma (Palatine Library, Petitot Gallery; National Archaeological Museum, Medal Cabinet and Medal Hall; Farnese Theatre, Lower Steps)
- Concept, scientific project and general coordination: Serafina Pennestrì, General Directorate of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape
- Curatorial Staff: Serafina Pennestrì (General Directorate of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape); Grazia Maria De Rubeis, Angela Mutti, Elisa Grassi, Flavia Giberti (Monumental Complex of the Pilotta); Marco Podini (Superintendency ABAP PR PC).
- Catalog: Newsletter of the State Numismatic Portal n. 11.1-2 (2018) – “Italian Medal Collections” series, edited by S. Pennestrì, with the collaboration of MC Burani and M.Podini
The tour itinerary
Palatine Library, Petitot Gallery
I. The “Studio” of Palazzo Farnese: the Medal Cabinet from the Renaissance to the second half of the seventeenth century
II. The Farnese Medal Cabinet in the Ducal Gallery from Ranuccio II to Francesco I
III. 1760: The excavations of Veleia and the formation of the first nucleus of the Parma Medal Collection
IV. The Medal Cabinet in the Library. Parma, Italy and Europe and the Metallic History of the Duchy of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla
V. Through Two Centuries: The Medal Collection from Angelo Schenoni to Antonio Frova
National Archaeological Museum
VI. Medagliere Room. Exhibition of coins and medals from ancient, medieval and modern times and creative material from the Parma mint. Metallic history of the Duchy of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla (1466-1774)
VII. Hall of Medals. A late Empire coin cabinet
Farnese Theatre, Understairs
VIII. Towards a National Identity . The Medal Collection after the Unification of Italy from Luigi Pigorini (1867-1875) to Antonio Frova (1964-1968)
IX. The Medal Cabinet: Consistency and Order
The virtual tour itinerary
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the materials on display and delve deeper into the themes covered by following the virtual tour route also proposed in the two volumes of the catalogue and in the virtual showcases of the Medagliere, both freely accessible online at their respective: