AUX ORIGINES DE LA COLLECTION MAZARIN: L'ACQUISITION DE LA COLLECTION ROMAINE DU DUC SANNESIO (1642 1644)

Abstract

The discovery of correspondence, hitherto largely unpublished, between Mazarin and two of his Roman agents (Archives des Affaires Etrangères, Paris, Correspondance politique, Rome) has produced further information concerning the Cardinal's collection. These documents cast a new light on some early facts concerning Mazarin as a patron (paintings commissioned from Bernini, Romanelli, Baur) and as a collector (purchase of some Antique sculptures). The history of this remarkable collection is especially illuminated by letters revealing the difficult but ultimately successful steps taken with the Roman family Sannesio to acquire an important set of Antique sculptures and paintings. This acquisition, which took place between 1642 and 1644, is contemporary with the purchase of the Palais Mazarin in Paris, and can be considered to represent the true beginning of Mazarin's outstanding career as a collector.