The Paper Museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo, Series B (parts 4 and 5). Natural History: Birds, Other Animals and Natural Curiosities

Abstract

Punning on Dal Pozzo’s name, Johannes Faber (friend of Federico Cesi and member of the Accademia dei Lincei) characterized the interest in nature of Cassiano and his brother Carlo Antonio as follows: ‘Their sole aim is to land the fish of truth, which lurks in so deep a well, from the well [pozzo] that gives them their name and coat of arms, and share it ungrudgingly with all students of nature’. The creation of Dal Pozzo’s paper museum and his liberality in showing and sharing it were, as Paula Findlen asserts, not only a sign of his passionate interest in nature study but also part of an élite culture of naturalia and antiquities collecting and display that strongly furthered Cassiano’s status and impressive Roman career. Vice versa, his position as protégé of the powerful Barberini Pope Urban VIII and the diplomatic missions to France and to Iberia on the latter’s behalf helped to expand Dal Pozzo’s network enormously and gave a crucial impetus to his range and European status as collector.