History, art and science join forces to unlock the mysteries of a 400-year-old book
A major grant will enable McGill University Libraries to delve into the Libro di Piume, or Feather Book, an exceptional artifact created in Italy more than 400 years ago. This unique object contains 156 illustrations made from feathers and other organic materials, including approximately 100 bird depictions incorporating, beaks, feathers and feet.
Created in 1618 by an Italian gardener employed by the Spanish Governor of Milan, the book is not only of historical significance but also a rare scientific resource, representing one of the oldest collections of bird specimens in the world.
An international interdisciplinary team, including librarians, scientists, historians and curators, will study this treasure from McGill University's archives from two perspectives: cultural/social and scientific. Team members come from Canada, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom.
A significant portion of the research will rely on the emerging field of biocodicology, a non-destructive analytical method that makes it possible to document biological information preserved within books. Various imaging techniques, including micro-CT technology, will also help researchers learn more about the bird specimens used to create the illustrations.
A four-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant of $479,890 will fund the project, which will also benefit from partnerships with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the Canadian Light Source and the University of Saskatchewan.
A fundraising campaign is also underway to support the restoration of the Libro di Piume, as well as the production of an exhibition and catalogue.
Acquired by McGill University in 1923, the artifact is now housed in the Blacker Wood Natural History Collection within the Rare Books and Special Collections Division of McGill University Libraries.
For more information about the project and photography opportunities for media, please contact:
- Victoria Dickenson, Principal Investigator, Professor of Practice, McGill University Libraries | Expertise: natural history collections, museum studies, history of natural history | victoria.j.dickenson [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)
- Elena Canadelli, Associate Professor, Department of History, Geography, and Classical Studies, Università di Padova | Expertise: history of science, history of collecting and scientific practices, Italian historical context | elena.canadelli [at] unipd.it (English, Italian)
Additional contacts with more specialized expertise:
- Marta Cerruti, Professor of Materials Engineering and co-director of the McGill Institute for Advanced Materials | Expertise: materials science, materials characterization, analytical techniques, conservation science | marta.cerruti [at] mcgill.ca (English, French, Italian)
- Chriscinda Henry, Associate Professor, Department of Art History and Communication Studies, McGill University | Expertise: art history, visual culture, Italian historical context, early modern art, material culture | chriscinda.henry [at] mcgill.ca (English, French, Italian, German)
- Lauren Williams, Curator, Blacker-Wood Collections, Librarian, McGill University | Expertise: rare books, special collections, natural history collections, biocodicology, preservation | lauren.williams [at] mcgill.ca (English)
