FELICE FONTANA AND THE FORMATION OF THE NATURALISTIC COLLECTIONS OF THE IMPERIAL ROYAL MUSEUM OF PHYSICS AND NATURAL HISTORY OF FLORENCE' 1

Abstract

ABSTRACT The naturalistic collections of the Imperial Royal Museum of Physics and Natural History of Florence are discussed, from the foundation of the Museum until the death of its first director, Felice Fontana. The discussion focuses on the origin of the collections, their transfer from the Uffizi Gallery to the new Museum venue on Via Romana, their growth during the almost 40 years of Fontana's activity and their method of display, as inferred from the two inventories of 1775 and 1790; particular attention is given to the material displayed in the rooms dedicated to natural products.Finally, a judgement on the activity of the great scientist is given, particularly in regard to the naturalistic part of the Museum but also in relation to the other two large sections, that of the machines and that of the anatomical waxes.