Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri OdV

The Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri was established to harness the good will and gratitude of numerous patrons, collectors, scholars and dealers of art who knew and benefitted from their friendship and collaboration with the renowned connoisseur throughout his lifetime. Over time the group grew and in September 2020 it was formally established as an association, with the aim of structuring its activities more effectively and strengthening its support for the scientific projects of the Federico Zeri Foundation.

Dedicated to promoting the research in the field of art history and supporting emerging scholars, the Amici di Federico Zeri Association is committed to fostering the growth of young art historians. Over the years, it has sponsored numerous scholarships and research grants that encourage the exploration of themes such as the history of the Italian antiquities market, the role of photographic archives, and the dissemination of Federico Zeri’s cultural and intellectual legacy.

In close collaboration with the Federico Zeri Foundation, the Association supports several key initiatives including the cataloguing of significant sections of the Zeri Photographic Archive and the acquisition of new photographic collections. These efforts continually enhance the archive’s holdings and expand opportunities for scholarly research worldwide. Furthermore, it contributes to the Incontri in Biblioteca series, a program of public lectures, dedicated to the presentation of books, catalogues, and major exhibitions, featuring renowned authors and curators from the international art historical community.

Through these activities, the Association actively advances the Foundation’s scientific and cultural mission, enriching both the study and dissemination of art historical knowledge.

ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS 2022 - 2024

1. Research projects

The cultural legacy of Federico Zeri

The Association has contributed to the renewal of a one-year research grant awarded to a young scholar to study the complex figure of Federico Zeri (1921-1998). A multifaceted scholar, Zeri practised the profession of art historian with unparalleled virtuosity. An intellectual and passionate critic, he is considered one of the most brilliant Italian connoisseurs of the 20th century.

Guglielmo Matthiae in the Zeri Photo Library

Thanks to a donation from collector Simonpietro Salini, the University of Bologna announced two Research Grants to explore the photographic collection of the famous medievalist and Roman superintendent Guglielmo Matthiae, preserved in the Zeri Photo Library. This is a valuable iconographic documentation for furthering Matthiae's critical thinking on the birth and development of Byzantine art and its role in the evolution of European art. The results of the work carried out prompted the patron to fund a further grant to allow for further research and the cataloguing of around a thousand photographs, for the benefit of the scientific community and scholars.

The art market in Italy between the 19th and 20th centuries

A generous patron from Ferrara supported a research grant aimed at studying the art market in Italy between the 19th and 20th centuries, starting from the information preserved in the Zeri Photo Library. This work led to the creation of the digital database “The antiques market in Italy between the 19th and 20th centuries”, which is freely accessible online. Presented at BIAF 2024, the project aroused great interest and many art dealers present expressed their intention to contribute to further enriching the research.

The art market in Milan between the 19th and 20th centuries

Thanks to a generous donation to the Association, the University of Bologna has established a three-year doctoral scholarship for the study and digitisation of unpublished materials on the antiques market in Milan. The research, coordinated by the Zeri Foundation, is aimed at studying and digitising unpublished material about the activities of companies operating in the Lombard capital between the unification of Italy and the First World War. The results of this research will be partly included in the Foundation's digital catalogues.

2. Publishing Projects

Seventeenth-century sculpture in Milan, edited by Susanna Zanuso

Published in 2024 and presented at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, this volume, funded by the Association with the contribution of the MiC, has attracted considerable interest, providing a comprehensive overview of seventeenth-century sculpture in Milan, with over 700 images and in-depth analysis.

3. Meetings, conferences, seminars

Meetings in the Library (Bologna, Federico Zeri Foundation)

A series of annual conferences organised with the Zeri Foundation and open to the public. Each year, internationally renowned guests present books and catalogues that enrich the historical and artistic landscape. A series of talks organised by the Fondazione Zeri, in collaboration with the Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri and the Fondazione Luigi Rovati in Milan, on the restoration of several historic buildings and the possibility of bringing together collections of ancient and contemporary art in these spaces.

Art in Photography (Bologna, Federico Zeri Foundation, 2024)

A series of seminars and workshops on photographic technology applied to artistic documentation, with sessions reserved for curators and archivists. This series of conferences was sold out, demonstrating the community's interest and appreciation for these issues.

4. Acquisition and cataloguing of photographic collections

Cataloguing of the ‘Fakes’ collection in the Zeri Photo Library

Project to study and catalogue 1,600 photographs of fakes in painting and 400 of sculptures in the Zeri Photo Library. The Association financed the scientific consultancy for the project.

New photographic collections in the Zeri Photo Library

The Association covered the costs of organising and preserving new photographic collections recently acquired by the Zeri Foundation. These include the Amilcare Pizzi archive, consisting of 10,000 photographic prints; the Adriano Cera photographic archive, consisting of over 9,300 photographs; and the archive of the Sestieri family, historic Roman gallery owners.

5. Promotional Initiatives and Special Visits

Website and 5 per Mille Campaign

Since 2021, the Association's website has been expanded and updated to ensure direct and continuous communication of its activities. Starting this year, it is possible to allocate 5 per mille to the Association, an important milestone for the ongoing support of our projects.