Frequently Asked Questions About the Medici Archive ProjectÂ’s Documentary Sources Database

1. Who Were the Medici?
2. What is the Medici Granducal Archive?
3. Where is the Archivio di Stato di Firenze located?
4. What is the Medici Archive Project?
5. What is the Documentary Sources Database?
6. When will the database be finished?
7. Who is assessing and describing the archival material in the Documentary Sources Database?
8. How are documents selected for inclusion in the Documentary Sources Database?
9. Who is building the Documentary Sources online system?
10. What are the current plans for the Documentary Sources Online Database?
11. How can I learn more about the Medici Archive Project and the Documentary Sources Database?

1. Who were the Medici? (top of page)

The Medici were probably the most famous and influential family in Renaissance and Early Modern Italy and their activity is the focus of intense interest by scholars in many historical disciplines, including the history of art, music, literature, economics, diplomacy and natural science. By the 14^th century, they had settled in the city of Florence and in the course of several generations, rose from local businessmen to great international bankers and from neighborhood politicians to de facto heads of state. Then for two centuries, from 1537 to 1743, the Medici ruled as sovereign Grand Dukes of Tuscany at the center of a princely court.

In historical terms, the Medici were the first ruling family in Europe to develop a concerted cultural policy in which the arts played a defining role. Due to a fortunate conjunction of good stewardship and good luck, the Medici Granducal Archive and the Medici Granducal Art Collection have come down to us largely intact. Together they offer an exceptional range of scholarly resources, many of which remain to be developed and given their full value.

2. What is the Medici Granducal Archive? (top of page)

The Medici Granducal Archive (Archivio Mediceo del Principato) includes approximately three million letters sent and received by members of the Medici family, their secretaries, courtiers, agents and correspondents between the years 1537 and 1743. These letters are divided into 6,429 bound volumes and are housed in the Archivio di Stato di Firenze in Florence, Italy.

The Medici Granducal Archive is virtually complete, having suffered only minor losses over the centuries. In fact, it is the fullest surviving archive of any European ruling family from the early modern period. It is also a prime example of an “organic archive” since it largely retains its original scheme of organization, reflecting the social and administrative structures that produced it.

About a third of the Medici Granducal Archive consists of diplomatic correspondence, including letters between the Medici regime and foreign governments. In addition, there are letters between the Medici administration in Florence and their embassies and legations throughout Europe and the Mediterranean World. As a result, the Medici Granducal Archive is an international resource, not limited to Florentine or Tuscan affairs.

3. Where is the Archivio di Stato di Firenze located? (top of page)

The Archivio di Stato di Firenze is located at Viale Giovine Italia 6, 50122 Florence; Tel. 055.26.32.01 Fax 055.234.11.59. For full information, visit the ArchivioÂ’s website at: http://www.archiviodistato.firenze.it/Welcome.html

4. What is the Medici Archive Project? (top of page)

The Medici Archive Project is a non-profit organization fully recognized by the governments of both the United States and Italy. It was founded in 1995 in order to bring the unique resources of the Medici Granducal Archive into the mainstream of current scholarship and teaching. The Documentary Sources database offers an unprecedented level of access to the information content of this archive. Meanwhile, MAP is helping form the next generation of archival scholars through its Fellowship Program and collaborative initiatives with various universities and research institutions.

5. What is the Documentary Sources Database? (top of page)

The Medici Archive ProjectÂ’s database is titled Documentary Sources for the Arts and Humanities in Medici Granducal Archive, 1537-1743. When complete all 6,429 volumes of letters will be described at the volume level with selective description at the document level.

At present (Spring, 2006), the Documentary Sources database describes approximately 200 volumes, and 10,000 documents. It also contains biographical records for 11,000 people. Onsite in the Archivio di Stato, the Medici Archive Project's research team is regularly adding new information.

6. When will the database be finished? (top of page)

The Documentary Sources database is scheduled for completion in 2030. It will then include descriptive entries for all 6,429 volumes in the Medici Granducal Archive, individual entries for all documents relevant to the arts and humanities and biographical entries for all of the relevant historical figures.

7. Who is assessing and describing the archival material in the Documentary Sources Database? (top of page)

The Documentary Sources database is now being realized by an international team of post-doctoral Fellows representing a wide range of historical disciplines. Project Fellows participate in data-entry work and also carry out independent research on topics of personal interest. Information about current Fellows and the MAP Fellowship program may be found at http://www.medici.org/positions/

As of April 1, 2006, the date of the online launch, the following scholars have assessed and described documentary material for the Medici Archive ProjectÂ’s database:

Maurizio Arfaioli (2005-)
Alessio Assonitis (2004-)
Sheila Barker (2005-)
Molly Bourne (1997-1998)
Niccolï‚¡pponi (2001-2004)
Robert Carlucci (1996-1999)
Janie Cole (2002-2005)
Brendan Dooley (2000-2002)
Bruce Edelstein (1997-1998)
Francesca Funis (2005-)
Edward Goldberg (1996-)
Lisa Goldenberg (2000-2003)
Kelly Helmstutler Di Dio (2000-2003)
Susanne Kubersky Piredda (2001-2004)
Fabrizio Nevola (2000-2001)
Alana O'Brien (2002-2005)
Antonio Ricci (2000-2003)
Salvador Salort Pons (2002-2003)
Brian Sandberg (2003-2006)
Anatole Tchikine (2002-2005)
Nicholas Wilding (2001-2002)

8. How are documents selected for inclusion in the Documentary Sources Database? (top of page)

The scope of the Documentary Sources database is defined by a set of 42 Topic Categories. These are:

9. Who is building the Documentary Sources online system? (top of page)

The Medici Archive Project created the online version of the Documentary Sources database in collaboration with the Renaissance Society of America, Iter and the Web Services Group at the University of Toronto Libraries. Ongoing work has been made possible over the years by many generous benefactors including: The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, The J. Paul Getty Trust, The Florence Gould Foundation, The International Music and Art Foundation, The Samuel H. Kress Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Scott Opler Foundation.

In building the Documentary Sources online system, technical work was carried out jointly by the Medici Archive Project and the University of Toronto Libraries Web Services Group.

10. What are the current plans for the Documentary Sources Online Database? (top of page)

While work continues on the Documentary Sources database, MAP is pleased to offer online access in collaboration with the Renaissance Society of America, Iter and the Web Services Group at the University of Toronto Libraries. Between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008 this database will be available as a membership benefit without further charge to all members of Iter, the Renaissance Society of America and its affiliate, the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference.

During this two-year period, the Medici Archive Project will undertake a focused assessment of the Documentary Sources system with the help of colleagues around the world. This process will include experts in information technology, archival management and library science, along with a representative range of database users including teachers, scholars and historical specialists of various kinds.

11. How can I learn more about the Medici Archive Project and the Documentary Sources Database? (top of page)

For further information, please contact dbfeedback@medici.org or visit the Project website at www.medici.org