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Athanasius Kircher, Jesuit scholar (Geisa, Fulda, 1602 – Rome 1680). He was a significative
figure of seventeenth-century encyclopedism. His interests extended from the linguistic studies to
geology, philology and optics. He was also particularly keen on collecting the antiquities. His rich collections of classical, oriental and Amerindian art constituted the museum fund, known as the Kircherian Museum, located in the Roman College (1651). Among his most famous works is the
Mundus subterraneus, written in Latin (the language of scholars), in 1665. Here a copy is exhibited.
Scipione Maffei, a scholar and writer (Verona 1675 – 1755 Verona). He was one of the exponents
of the Italian Pre-Enlightenment. A member of the Arcadia, he was animated by a profound interest
in theater and he also wrote plays. Besides, he was the author of several works, which underlined his considerable erudition, ranging from archeology to economics. Among his most famous works is the Museum Veronense, written in 1749. It analyzed the catalogue of ancient inscriptions of the public museum founded by Maffei in Verona. It is exhibited here.
Johann Joachim Winckelmann, archaeologist and scholar (Stendal, Prussia, 1717 – 1768 Trieste).
After settling in Rome, he became superintendent of the antiquities and devoted himself to the study
of classical art. Through his writings he promoted the aesthetics of neoclassicism, exerting a considerable influence on the art and taste of the time. Among his most important works is the Geschichte der Kunst des Altertums, History of the art of antiquity, written in 1764. This work marked the birth of modern art history. It is exhibited here.