TheUniversity of Modena and Reggio Emilia opens a new window on its scientific history through the publication of the volume Tesori modenesi ritrovati (Rediscovered Modena Treasures), catalog of the exhibition scheduled from Oct. 4 to Dec. 21, 2025, at theNational Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts in Modena. The book, published by Franco Cosimo Panini Editore and edited by Rossella Brunetti, Sandra Morelli and Licia Beggi Miani, accompanies the presentation of a hitherto little-known collection of historical scientific instruments covering a time span from the second half of the 18th century to the early 20th century. The instruments, rediscovered inside twenty-eight cases kept in the Athenaeum’s storerooms, represent a previously unseen heritage of the city. After years of oblivion, the objects have been restored and catalogued, making it possible to reconstruct not only the technical and scientific evolution of Modena, but also the social, economic and cultural context in which such knowledge developed. The collection, therefore, also tells stories and processes that marked the local fabric.
The volume, which spans 128 pages in a 17x23 cm format and paperback, analyzes each individual instrument, highlighting its scientific and historical importance. The housed objects, now once again accessible to the public, provide an understanding of how the city of Modena has participated in the great changes of modern and contemporary science, showing a continuity of interest and scientific insight that has characterized the University and the city community. In addition to the catalog and description of the instruments, the book offers a detailed analysis of the conservation and restoration techniques adopted, illustrating how the objects were recovered and preserved to ensure their future enjoyment. The attention to historical and social context makes the publication a useful tool not only for scholars of the history of science, but also for those involved in museology, conservation and science education.
The exhibition, which opens Oct. 4, is the highlight of the collection’s enhancement. It will allow the public to take a close look at the instruments, concrete witnesses of Modena’s scientific history, and to appreciate their technical quality, craftsmanship and documentary value. At the same time, the publication of the volume ensures its wider dissemination by making a comprehensive and illustrated guide available to libraries and interested readers. Rediscovered Modenese Treasures is available in bookstores and online for 14 euros.
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| University of Modena's historical collection at the center of an unpublished catalog |
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