Warburg Work in Progress, Autumn 2024 - research student joint session

Tracy Bergstrom (Warburg PhD): ‘Printing and the network of illustrated antiquarian scholarship in mid-16th century Rome’

The second quarter of the 16th century in Rome saw a remarkable evolution in the market for printed books and images of antiquarian subjects. New and evolving information about the city aligned with emerging production and distribution models, particularly around increasingly sophisticated printed images of antiquities that attempted to reconcile and visualize multiple sources of information. This talk considers the intersection of two groups—Rome’s printers and antiquarians—and how each community utilized the other between the pivotal period of 1530-1560 to produce illustrated volumes that documented the growth of knowledge about the ancient city and enabled this information to circulate across various audiences.

Marisa Addomine (Warburg PhD): ‘Lorenzo della Volpaia and his planetary clocks. Science, astrology and politics between Florence and Buda in the 15th century’

The primary focus of my research is the examination of two planetary clocks crafted by Lorenzo della Volpaia (1446-1512) in Florence. Originally intended for presentation to Mathias Corvinus, King of Hungary, these timepieces represent a significant contribution to the history of horology. The interdisciplinary approach adopted begins with a new reconstruction of the genealogical tree of the della Volpaia family, demonstrating their actual rank and role in the city of Florence from 1400 to 1600. This redefinition is made possible by the exploration of new primary sources.  The cultural, economic and political boundaries between Florence and Buda are analysed, as well as the role of Marsilio Ficino and the political manoeuvres that were carried out prior to the sending of a planetary (astrological) clock as a state gift from Italy to Hungary. The full corpus of the della Volpaia manuscripts has been explored, demonstrating that the technical information contained therein does not allow for a definitive reconstruction of the clock(s) to be proposed. 

The Work in Progress seminar explores the variety of subjects studied and researched at the Warburg Institute. Papers are given by invited international scholars, research fellows studying at the Institute, and third-year PhD students.

ATTENDANCE FREE IN PERSON OR ONLINE WITH ADVANCE BOOKING