Friday, May 28, 2010

The report.

I decided to continue writing about the Vatican library. Here is my report where I summarized the information which I found for the assignment.


The Vatican Library.
There are a lot of beautiful libraries in the world which preserve knowledge collected by mankind during the development of civilisation. Libraries could be counted as the richest of all cultural institutions. Architectural treasures in themselves, they introduce different epochs from Renaissance to Neoclassical and Modern (4). The crucial role of libraries is to preserve and disseminating books, the amazing cultural artefact of mankind which helps to develop the great civilizations of the world.

The special place among the greatest world libraries belongs to the Vatican Library (Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana). Absolutely amazing collections of manuscripts and rare printed books are currently located in the Holy See in Vatican City.

A brief look at history.
The Vatican Library began as a library of popes for collecting archival documents which they needed for conservation and transmitting evidence of the Church spiritual life.
Usually five periods are distinguished in the history of the Vatican Library:
1) The pre-Lateran period, when the manuscripts were to be found in many different places;
2) The Lateran period, when the archives were collected in the papal palace of the Lateran;
3) The Avignon period, when the popes resided at Avignon;
4) The pre-Vatican, the interim period when materials were being assembled in Rome;
5) The modern period from the middle of fifteenth century to the present time (12).

In spite of evidence of the scrinium of the Roman Church which was both a library and archive , the founder of the modern-day Vatican Library is considered Pope Nicolas V(1447-1455). When he was elected in 1447 the Vatican collection included about 350 Latin, a few Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. After his death there were left more than 1,500 manuscripts, making the Pontifical collection the largest in Europe at that time (3).
It should be pointed that officially the Library was founded on June 15, 1475 when Pope Sixtus IV issued the memorable bull, "Ad decorum militantis Ecclesiae". He endowed the Library with the rooms and funds. But the most important step was his invitation to the humanists Bartolomeo Sacchi of Cremona, known as Platina, to be a librarian. Platina’s catalogue which he finished in 1481 it was displayed that the collection included approximately 3,500 titles. From this time the Vatican Library became the source of study and knowledge (8).

The next important period for the development of the Vatican Library is counted with Pope Sixtus V. The Pope commissioned his architect Domenico Fontana (1543-1607) to build the Library on a new site. This building still houses the Library. On the top floor there is a large room with two naves which today is called the Salone Sistino which was intended to contain the collection (6).

Considering following centuries, it should be underlined that all popes enhanced collections and kept the organization in a way which has remained fundamentally unaltered to the present day (15). Collections were increased by donations and purchases of manuscripts and books. For instance, in 1657 the Library acquired the manuscripts of the Dukes of Urbino or in 1748 other large accessions were the Capponi collection (11).

In the present day the most significant acquisition for the Vatican Library was the famous 'Bodmer Papyrus XIV-XV' donated to the Vatican by U.S. businessman Frank Hanna III. The manuscript contains about half of each copy of the Gospels of Luke and John handwritten in Greek approximately in the year 200 (16).

Fundamental changes brought to the Library in the 20th century when the collections were put on microfilms and now in digital format. In 2005 new technology allowed information to be stored and send it via radio waves to a reader or handheld device that enables librarians to monitor the condition of the book and their location (13). The electronic catalogue includes 500,000 cards, which provides information from more than one million printed volumes which included some 8.500 incunabula and more than 150,000 manuscripts. Among the most famous holding of the library is the ‘Codex Vaticanus’, the oldest known manuscript of the Bible (5).

Now the Vatican Library is closed for renovation. Nevertheless readers can use the on-line catalogue, contact with librarians electronically, obtain photographic reproductions and digital images. The Library is to be opened for public after renovation in 2010 (2).

Manuscripts and printed books.
Among the collections of the Vatican library a special place belongs to manuscripts and printed books. All manuscripts may be divided into two big parts: closed (historical) and open collections. The former is called “closed” (numerus clausus) because they came to the Library complete and managed as a whole as a “Fondo”. It is important to understand that no new books from same or similar source can be included in the collection. The closed collections are known by their origin. For instance, "Fondo Reginense", named for Queen Christina of Sweden who presented this collection which consists of 2,120 Latin and 190 Greek manuscripts. In open collection new acquisitions can be added. Separated according to the languages of manuscripts the open collection are named "Codices Vaticani” (14 ).

Several words have to be said about "Codex B", one of the few antique codices which have conserved the Greek text of the Bible almost completely. This title is the oldest known nearly complete manuscript of the Holy Scripture. The original place and time, when the "Codex B" came to Vatican, is still unknown. It is believed that the manuscript was already there by the time of Pope Nicolas V.
The "Codex B" is written on a fine parchment as letters which were used in fourth century. This unique old book up-to-date is the subject of investigation and scientific debates (17).

Next example of rare book, which could be illustrated the unique titles preserved in the Vatican Library is "Vergilius Romanus" also known as "The Roman Virgil". It is the illuminated manuscript from fifth century containing the "Aeneid". It is the oldest and most important manuscripts of the work of Virgil. The book consists of 309 vellum* folios. The manuscript is known as the unique example of late Roman miniature painting (18).

Two other surviving illustrated manuscripts of classical literature also located in the Vatican Library are "Vergilius Vaticanus" known as the "Vatican Vergil" and "Ambrosian Iliad" (12).


The musical collection.
It should be told several words about Renaissance musical collection of the Vatican Library.
The sacred music composed during the Renaissance was written for the Roman Catholic Church. Unfortunately, some great composers of that period, for instance, Josquin des Pres (1450? - 1521) or Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), are almost forgotten. In the collection there is 'Second Book of Masses' written by Giovanni de Palestrina in 1567.
Several works of Josquin des Pres are held in the Vatican Library as well. The most known is "Missa de Beata Virgine". The opus is interesting for specialists because it is unusual among Josquin's works owing to special form different from canonical (9).

The medical collection.
The Vatican library held a big collection of medical books and manuscripts. Some of them were introduced in an exhibition ‘Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture’ organized by Library of Congress in 2002. There were introduced manuscripts of Plato, Aristotle, Avicenna, Hippocrates. The work of Galen "De usu partium" written in Greek in 10th or 11th centuries was one of the most important ancient contributions to anatomy and philosophy. This book came to the papal library from Cardinal Jacobo Piccolomini in fifteenth century (10).

The main aim.
Interestingly that the Vatican Library from the beginning was constructed in accordance with the intention of Pope Nicolas V as the library for “common convenience of the learned”. Up-to-date this thesis is the basis of the Statutes where is expounded nature and purpose of the Vatican Library. For instance, the responsibilities of the Library, which is both an institute of conservation and an institute of research, are included “to guard and preserve with the greatest of care the cultural treasures entrusted to it” and “To effect study and promote knowledge of these materials for ordinary and extraordinary personal works and by means of publication” (7).

The American friends of the Vatican Library.
The Vatican Library has the greatest respect and popularity among society.
In United States there is non-profit organization ‘The American friends of the Vatican Library’. Established in 1981 the organization supports and promotes the Library, as a source of knowledge and information on the evolution of the Western World. The American Friends exists by donation nevertheless assists in many projects connected with the Library. Among them are Renovation of the Lighting in the Manuscript Reading Room; the purchase of computers; "Incunabula Catalogue" project etc. (1).


Conclusion.
The Vatican Library created and supervised by Holy See is an absolutely unique library.
Relicts collected by popes available for everybody who do research in history, law, philosophy, science, art, literature and theology. Speaking more generally, the Vatican Library is the place where preserved treasures are the source of knowledge about Western civilization.

References.
1. American Friends of the Vatican Library 2006, American Friends of Vatican Library, viewed 9 October 2009,
http://afvl.org

2. ‘Apostolic library and secret archives’ 2007, Catholic Historical Review, vol.93, no.2, October, pp.1023-1024.

3. Berry, BM 1967, Key to the Apostolic Vatican library, Welwood Murray Memorial Library, Palm Spring.

4. Guillaume de, L 2003, The most beautiful libraries in the world, Harry N. Abrams, New York.

5. Kosanke, C 2003, ‘Vatican library’, New Catholic Encyclopedia vol.14, Thomas/Gale, Detroit., pp.418-422.

6. Legocki, A 1973, Sztuka renesansu, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa.

7. Nature and purpose of the Vatican library n.d., Vatican Library, viewed 9 October 2009,
http://www.vaticanlibrary.vatlib.it/BAVT/info/en/History+And+Structure/nature_purpose.htm

8. Petrosillo, O 2003, The city of St .Peter: history, art and treasures, Edizioni Musei Vaticani, Vatican City.

9. Robertson, D 2005, Music through the centuries, Rising World Entertainment, Nashville.

10. Rome reborn: the Vatican library and Renaissance culture 2002, Library of Congress, Washington, viewed 28 September 2009,
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/vatican/medicine.html

11. Sladen, D 1907, The secret of Vatican, Hurst and Blackett, London, viewed 28 September 2009,
http://www.archive.org/stream/secretsofvatican00sladuoft#page/n9/mode/2up

12. Stickler, AM & Boyle, LE 1989, The Vatican library, its history and treasures, Belser Incorporated, New York.

13. Swartz, N 2005, ‘Vatican library tags books’, Information Management Journal, vol.39, no.1, January- February, p. 6.

14. ‘The Vatican as scientific institute’ 2009, The Catholic Encyclopedia Online, viewed 12 October 2009.

15. ‘Vatican library’ 2008, New World Encyclopedia Online, viewed 28 September 2009.

16. Voicu, SJ 2007, ‘Bodmer papyrus: history becomes reality’, L’Osservatore Romano, no.7, p. 8.

17. Witherington III, B 2008, ‘A text without a home’, Biblical Archeology Review, vol. 34, no.4, p.28.


18. Wright, DH 2001, The Roman Vergil and the origins of medieval book design, British Library, London.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Sixth post.


I continue my research. It becomes more and more interesting. Collecting the content I found interesting material about collection of Renaissance sacred music (images were taken form there). Unfortunately,the great composers of this period such as Orlando de Lasso (also known as Orlandus Lassus , 1532-1540) or Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) are almost forgotten. I was pleased to know that in the musical
collection there is 'Second Book of Masses' written by Giovanni de Palestrina in 1567.

The composers of Renaissance left a large body of work that are truly a great treasure of Western civilization.

I would like to tell several words about Josquin des Pres (1450? - 1521) who was very known in his time. He created at least 374 opuses both sacred and secular music. In spite of
his colossal reputation he was undeservedly forgotten and revived only in the 20th century.
In the Vatican Library works of Josquin des Pres are held. This picture introduces "Missa de Beata Virgine" which is unusual among
Josquin's works because of the special form
different
from
canonical.


I was interested in the accommodation of the manuscripts, a books and catalogues of the Vatican library. The required information I found in "Catholic Encyclopedia". I would like to note that the most comprehensive information connected with different aspects of the Vatican library in toto and their activities in particular I found there.
At the end of my research I found interesting web-site of society called 'American Friends of the Vatican Library'. This organization exists for 25 years. Their aim is to support and promote the Vatican library the unique source of knowledge about Western civilization.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Fifth post.

In this post I would like to discuss about collections of the Vatican library and especially about manuscripts. From the beginning I would like to offer a short documentary which I downloaded from 'Google video'.


I have to note that the most comprehensive information, which I found about manuscripts, contains in on-line "Catholic Encyclopedia" in the chapter "The Vatican as a
Scientific Institute".
It was interesting to know that when Bartolomeo Platina made the first catalogue, the library held over 3500 items. Today the library holds some 75,000 manuscripts and over 1.1 million printed books, which includes some 8,500 incunabula.
Among the most famous books there is the oldest known manuscript of the Bible "Codex Vaticanus", written approximately in 4th century. The presented picture, taken from "New World Encyclopedia", contains texts from New Testament.It is interesting to know that all found manuscripts are divided into two parts: closed (historical ) and open collections. The former are collections which were obtained by library complete and administrated as one entity. The latter are added new acquisitions which do not form a complete collection in themselves.
Continuing the research I found interesting information connected with collection of medicine and natural history. The material was shown by the Library of Congress in a special exhibition.
There were introduced absolutely fantastic books and manuscripts such as Plato"Timaeus" which is Calcidius's version of Plato's cosmology, produced in the fifth century or
"De usu patrium" by Galen ( the image was taken from 'Medicine - Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture) .
I would like
to tell about the latter in more detail.
This book is o
ne of the most important ancient contribution to human anatomy and physiology was written by Galen in second century A.D. In this exhibition is shown the earliest and the best manuscript which came to the papal library in fifteenth century from Cardinal Jacobo Ammannati Piccolomini.

Everybody who is interested in medical collection of the Vatican library can find in in the web-site 'Medicine - Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture' pointed above.






Monday, September 28, 2009

Fourth post



The new technologies give the opportunity to find and use information which was unobtainable for most of us. I am not ashamed to confess that I knew about e-books only by being a student of this course.
There are several amazing projects which help people to use different materials from archives and famous libraries. The Internet Archive and Project Gutenberg could be included in this range.
In the former I found an absolutely fantastic book about Vatican in general and the Vatican library in particular. "The Secrets of Vatican" was published in London by Hurt and Blacket in 1907. I am pleased to know that this book is not in copyright thus I can use it in my blog according to the law.
Trying to find more e-books about the Vatican library I began to search databases which could be connected with digital libraries or archives. Unfortunately, I did not find any e-books except what is shown above.
The next step was searching databases through different libraries (I would like to note that before Google and Yahoo were used). As a result, I found full text of a chapter about my subject in Gale Virtual Reference Library. Curiously enough, only through one library from many I could find this text in the Gala database. It is quite strange.
I would like to underline that a lot of resources are accessible only for registered customers or buyers. Thus, for ordinary people this is the only way to use 'our mutual friends' 'Google', 'Yahoo', 'Ask.com' or 'Wikipedia' for research purposes.



This move was downloaded from Google

Following my previous recommendation I went to Google and added this video.
I consider that this movie is not about the Vatican library. Nevertheless I decided to leave it here because this short documentary is very impressive for everybody who is interested in neoclassicism in general and introduction of this style of art in Vatican interiors in particular. I am sure it is impossible to separate the Vatican library collections and places where these treasures are located.
I suppose it seems reasonable to post some information about rooms in the library.
I intend to do it in my future posts.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Third post

Nunc adeamus bibliothecam, non illam quidem multis instructam libris,
 sed exquisitis.  (ERASMUS)

My research continues.
I heard about the Vatican Library before but I was never interested specifically in this subject. Everything was changed when I began to do this research. It is extremely interesting! I try to find more and more information. Reading about a main subject I began to be interested in concomitant facts. It is really exciting.


The picture was taken form Vatican City Photos

I suppose this image can give a general impression of a place where the Vatican Library is located. This is the view of Vatican City.
It is interesting to know that the building, which Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590) decided to construct and which was built by the architect Domenico Fontana (1543-1607), still houses the Library.

If somebody is interested in Domenica Fontana and his arts one can read about him in the Catholic Encyclopedia or in Wikipedia.
I have found some short articles about Domenico Fontana in Britannica on-line Encyclopedia but unfortunately, this content is opened only for authorized readers.
In my research I found absolutely a fantastic short documentary about the Vatican Library in Google Video.




In this web- page there are several other videos. I recommend everybody who is interested in this subject to watch it .
Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to visit the Library in reality until 2010 because of important refurbishment work which is being conducted now.
Thus, we cannot follow Erasmus (Desiderius Erasmus 1446? - 1536) which words I put as an epigraph for this post, and to see the Vatican Library in reality.
Thus let's enjoy reading books, web-pages and watching documentaries about the Vatican Library.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Second post.


From the very beginning I would like to tell some words about my theme. I choose it because the Vatican Library is the place which is located in one of the most rich and interesting collections of books, manuscripts, pictures etc. I am very interested in old books and manuscripts.

This work gives me a good opportunity to increase my knowledge about the Vatican Library, its history and collections.

I began my research from web-site of on-line Catholic Enyclopedia. There is a lot of information about the library and the collections but there is not pictures.
Some good pictures were found in Answer.com page. Remembering about copyrights I went to the Vatican library website and was very pleased to know that everybody could use images for educational purposes. Thus I can download pictures in my blog legally.
Pope Sixtus IV appoints Bartolomeo Platina prefect of the Vatican Library, fresco by Melozzo da Forlì, c. 1477 (Vatican Museums)

Pope Sixtus IV appoints Bartolomeo Platina
prefect of the Vatican Library,
fresco by Melozzo da Forlì, c. 1477 (Vatican Museums)
image taken from 'vatican library' answers.com


I suppose this picture is very interesting because it is sui generis portraits of Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484), an eminent sponsor of the Vatican Library and the first librarian, the humanist Bartolomeo Sacchi, called Platina.
I would like to note that there is the fresco in the Ospedale di Sancto Spirito in Rome where Pope Sixtus IV and Bartolomro Patina are depicted.



The image belongs to Project Gutenberg e-book.

Some facts from the Vatican library history.In 1475 Pope Sixtus IV released a bull Ad decorem militantis Ecclesiae, by which the Vatican Library was founded in June 15, 1475. In the same year he ordered the first catalogue of the Vatican LIbrary to be compiled. This job was done by Bartolomeo Patina.

Furthermore,Pope Sixtus IV is known as a person who commissioned a Florentine architect Giovannino de'Dolci to build the Sistine Chapel.







Wednesday, August 19, 2009

First post.. Hello.

Hi everybody.

This is my first blog. It is quite interesting , but I cannot say that I like it very much. Anyway, I would like to be a good student and will try to do this task properly.