The Vatican Library has partnered with the Colnaghi Foundation to restore and digitize more than 80,000 ancient manuscripts. This five-year agreement aims to preserve unique documents and facilitate worldwide access to the Church’s treasure trove. The Vatican Library houses a vast literary legacy, including 82,000 manuscripts and 1.6 million printed books, some dating back to before 1501.
The manuscripts are in a deteriorated state due to humidity and ink decomposition, making preservation a significant challenge. The Colnaghi Foundation will use a special scanner to digitize the manuscripts, allowing scholars to access important documents remotely. This technology can reveal hidden details, such as previous writing or sketches beneath the surface.
The project also includes an architectural renovation of the library, to be carried out by the David Chipperfield firm. To celebrate this collaboration, the Codex exhibition was opened on May 26, featuring 14 works from private collections, including pieces by Caravaggio, Bernini, Tintoretto, and Titian. The exhibition will run until June 2, after which the works will return to private collections.
The partnership between the Vatican Library and the Colnaghi Foundation is expected to have a profound impact on access to knowledge, allowing scholars and the public to explore the library’s vast collection remotely.