Fondazione Centro di Studi sull'Arte Licia e Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti

The Ragghianti Foundation in Lucca is an art study centre based in the cloisters of San Micheletto. Its library, phototheque, archives and exhibition spaces preserve the work of art historians Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti and Licia Collobi Ragghianti and support research into art.

Why it matters

The institution began with the Ragghiantis' donation of their library, photographs and archive to the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca in 1981. It became a foundation in 1984, bringing together the city, province and region, and later joined the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca. It combines scholarly resources with exhibitions and cultural publishing.

What to notice

The San Micheletto complex retains cloisters and courtyards that frame the foundation's exhibition spaces and sculpture garden. Its research collections include more than 70,000 books, approximately 180,000 photographs and a substantial archive of exhibition catalogues and brochures. Gifts by Italian artists have also enriched its collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture.

Context and history

The archive and library of art historian Pier Carlo Santini joined the foundation's holdings in 1992. Public recognition of the collections followed: a 2012 decree recognised the art collection's historic and artistic interest, and the archival authority recognised Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti's archive in 2014. The foundation has also published exhibition catalogues and research since 2004.