2019 SEFR Annual Conference, in collaboration with the State Archives of Turin
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SEFR Conference in Turin, 18-20 September 2019
Our conference, organised as a joint initiative with the State Archives of Turin, will take place from Wednesday 18 September (from 13:30) to Friday 20 September (closing at 13:30) in the auditorium of the State Archive. The topic is:
The Role of Courtly Spectacle in the Politics and Diplomatic Entanglements of the House of Savoy in the Renaissance and Early Modern Periods (1450–1750).
Il ruolo dello spettacolo di corte nelle politiche e nelle relazioni diplomatiche di Casa Savoia dal Rinascimento all’età moderna (1450–1750).
The conference will include eight chaired sessions (thematic panels), each including three speakers, of which at least one will speak in Italian and one will speak in English. Each paper will last no longer than 20 minutes, and will usually be accompanied by slides/Powerpoint projection. In each session, the three papers will be followed by a brief question time (approximately 15 minutes).
La conferenza includerà otto sessioni a tema, ciascuna con un moderatore e tre relatori di cui almeno uno parlerà in italiano e uno in parlerà in inglese. Ogni intervento durerà al massimo 20 minuti e sarà solitamente accompagnato da presentazione Powerpoint/diapositive. In ogni sessione i tre interventi previsti saranno seguiti da una breve seduta per rispondere a domande da parte del pubblico (circa 15 minuti).
Conference registration
Registration for the Conference is free of charge, but must be done in advance: contact m.e.shewring@warwick.ac.uk
Conference Catering
We are not able to provide catering within the conference venue itself so we have arranged for refreshment breaks (each morning/afternoon of the Conference) and lunch (on Thursday) to be provided nearby: breaks at Caffè Regio and lunch at Arcadia. We will need to charge for these. Details will follow on registration.
Speakers and Papers
Sydney Anglo (Emeritus Professor, University of Swansea)
‘The History of the Chivalric Tournament. The Court of Savoy as a typical problem.’
“La storia del torneo cavalleresco. La corte dei Savoia ad esempio di un tipico problema.”
Clelia Arnaldi di Balme (Conservator, Palazzo Madama, Civic Museum of Ancient Art in Turin)
“Da Parigi a Torino. Influenze francesi nel balletto di corte e nelle feste sabaude all’epoca di Cristina di Francia.”
‘From Paris to Turin. The French Influences on the Savoy Festivals and Court Ballet in the Age of Christine of France.’
Sara Ayres (Curatorial Assistant at Historic Royal Palaces, UK)
‘Prince George of Denmark’s Grand Tour and his Confessor’s Description of Turin.’
“Il Grand Tour del Principe Giorgio di Danimarca e la descrizione di Torino del suo confessore.”
Paola Bianchi (Università della Valle d'Aosta)
“Feste e cerimoniali di corte in presenza di stranieri. Formazione, negoziazione, rappresentazione.”
‘Court Festivals and Ceremonials Envisaging the Presence of Foreigners: Priming, Negotiation and Representation.’
Martine Boiteux (Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris)
‘Le feste della dinastia sabauda fuori sede.’
“The Festivals of the Savoy Dynasty out of their Domains.”
Gian Luca Bovenzi (University of Turin and exhibition cataloguer)
“Abiti, tessuti e ricamo per i matrimonio di Margherita e Isabella di Savoia.”
‘Clothes, Textiles, and Embroidery for the Marriages of Marguerite and Isabelle of Savoy.’
Thalia Brero (visiting scholar at Ghent University)
‘Birthday Celebrations at the Court of Savoy in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries.’
“Celebrazioni per i genetliaci alla corte dei Savoia nei secoli XVI e XVII.”
Daniela Cereia (State Archives of Turin and Université de Savoie-Mont Blanc in Chambéry)
“Dietro le quinte: le feste di corte nei documenti contabili dell’Archivio di Stato di Torino.”
‘Court Festivals in the Accounting Documents in the State Archives of Turin.’
Richard Cooper (Professor Emeritus, Brasenose College, University of Oxford)
‘The Marriage of Marguerite de Valois to Emmanuel Philibert II of Savoy (1559).’
“Le nozze di Margerita di Valois con Emanuele Filiberto II di Savoia (1599).”
Paolo Cozzo (University of Turin)
“Feste e cerimoniali religiosi nella corte sabaude come linguaggi della politica e della diplomazia.”
‘Festivals and Religious Ceremonies as a Language for Politics and Diplomacy at the Savoy Court.’
Iain Fenlon (Professor Emeritus, King’s College, University of Cambridge)
‘Gonzaga Celebrations for a Savoy Bride and their Artistic Consequences.’
“Le celebrazioni dei Gonzaga per una sposa di Casa Savoia e le loro ricadute Artistiche.”
Luisa Gentile (State Archives of Turin)
“Feste, emblematica e politica alla corte di Savoia tra Quattro e Cinquecento.”
‘Festivals, Emblems, and Politics at the Savoy Court between the XVth and XVIth Centuries.’
Luisella Giachino (University of Turin)
“Gli spettacoli divini. Un panegirico sulla Sindone del padre Francesco Amedeo Ormea.”
‘Gli spettacoli divini. A Syndonic Panegyric by Francesco Amadeo Ormea.’
Marzia Giuliani (Università Cattolica di Milano)
“Alla «diritta» di Sua Maestà. Le nozze di Saragozza (1585) nelle lettere private dell’ambasciatore Paolo Sfondrati.”
‘On His Majesty’s ‘diritta’. The Zaragoza Nuptials (1585) in the Private Letters of Ambassador Paolo Sfondrati.’
Paul Gwynne (The American University of Rome)
‘Johannes Michael Nagonius’ panegyric on the House of Savoy, and his wedding song on the marriage of Philibert II of Savoy to Margaret of Austria (1501).’
“Il panegirico su Casa Savoia di Giovanni Michele Nagonio e la sua canzone nuziale per il matrimonio di Filiberto II di Savoia con Margherita d’Austria (1501).”
Margaret M. McGowan
(Research Professor at the University of Sussex, and Fellow of the British Academy)
‘From Godefroy de Bouillon to Hercules: Dance, Music and Décor as Expressions of Political Resolve in Savoy Festivals (1640–1650).’
“Da Goffredo di Buglione a Ercole: danza, musica e decorazione a espressione di risoluzione politica nelle feste dei Savoia.”
Andrea Merlotti
(Director of the Study Centre of the Consorzio delle Residenze Reali Sabaude, Reggia di Venaria)
“«Non un onore, ma un dovere». Diplomazia e balletti alla corte sabauda del XVIII secolo.”
‘‘Not an Honour, but a Duty’: Diplomacy and Ballets at the Savoy Court in the XVIIIth Century.’
Alessandro Metlica (Università degli Studi di Padova)
“La rose e la giostra. Le ottave III, 156-159 dell’Adone di Giovan Batlista Marino e i tornei cavallereschi di casa Savoia.”
‘The Rose and the Joust. The Octave III, 156-159 from Giovan Battista Marino’s Adone and the Chivalric Tournaments of the House of Savoy.’
Gloria Moorman (University of Warwick, UK)
‘Power, Prestige, and the Publication of the Theatrum Sabaudiae (Amsterdam: Blaeu, 1682).’
“Potere, prestigio e la pubblicazione del Theatrum Sabaudiae (Amsterdam: Blaeu, 1682).”
Jorge Morales
(Associate Research Fellow, Centre d’études supérieures de la Renaissance - CESR, Tours)
“Il Duca, il Cardinale e la Madama Reale. Musiche, feste e spettacoli di Casa Savoia all’epoca di Sigismondo d’India (1611-1623).”
‘The Duke, the Cardinal, and the Madame Royale: Music, Festivals, and Spectacle for the House of Savoy in the Age of Sigismondo d’India (1611–1623).’
Francesca Nepori (State Archives of Massa)
“Alla corte dei Savoia. Feste, carnival, cacce e rappresentazioni sceniche nelle relationi e avvisi a stampa tra Sei e Settecento.”
‘At the Savoy Court: Festivals, Carnival Feasts, Hunts, and Scenic Representations through Avvisi and Printed Reports between the XVIIth and XVIIIth Centuries.’
Nikola Piperkov (Université Lyon III Jean Moulin)
‘The Hieroglyphic “Alianzwappen” of a French Princess: Claude-François Ménestrier’s festival in Chambéry and his iconographical design for the ducal bedchamber in Chambéry Castle on the occasion of Charles-Emmanuel II of Savoy’s wedding to Françoise d’Orléans-Valois (9 April 1663).’
“Il geroglifico ‘Alianzwappen’ di una principessa francese. La festa di Claude-François Ménestrier a Chambéry e il suo progetto iconografico per la camera da letto ducale nel castello di Chambéry in occasione del matrimonio di Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia con Françoise d’Orléans-Valois (9 aprile 1663).”
Lucy Rayfield (postdoctoral Research Associate at St Benet’s Hall, University of Oxford)
‘Festival and Diplomacy in the Ballet de Circé (1627).’
“Festa e diplomazia nel Ballet de Circé (1627).”
Fausto Testa (Politecnico di Milano)
“Metafore dell’ identità politica e dinastica nel Dono del Re del’ Alpi a’ Madama Reale.”
‘Metaphors of political and dynastic identity in the Dono del Re del’ Alpi a’ Madama Reale.’
Franca Varallo (University of Turin) and Blythe Alice Raviola (University of Milan)
“Imenei e genetliaci negli anni delle reggenze delle Madame Reali: nuovi sguardi storiografici.”
‘Hymeneans e Genethliacs in the Madames Royales’ Years of Regency: New Historiographical Insights.’
The State Archives
L’Archivio di Stato (The State Archives of Turin) are housed in two monumental locations, with an overall extension of eighty-three kilometres of shelving, housing documents from the eighth century to modern times.
L’Archivio di Corte (Court Archives), situated in Piazza Castello, was designed by Filippo Juvarra and built in 1731. It was originally intended to house the Court Archives of the Savoy dynasty but has increasingly become a political state archive gathering documents from all the public administrations. The organisation by topics simplified access to documents for the ministerial meetings, which were held in the halls of the Archives building adjacent to the Royal Palace and the Secretary of State Offices. The nineteenth-century rearrangement of the documents held at the Royal Archives reflected the structure of the Archivio di Corte during the eighteenth century, including judicial, economic, political and ecclesiastical topics as well as documents relating to municipalities and territories and extending to archives of the contemporary age. Maps showing borders are an integral part of the diplomatic papers and foreign policy documents of the Savoy Dukedom and later the Kingdom of Sardinia and, from 1861 onwards, the Kingdom of Italy. One hall of the Archives is dedicated to the historical museum of the House of Savoy, arranged in 1873 by the archivist Pietro Vayra, who was inspired by national and international models. The intention was to represent, through the documents exhibited in chronological sequence, an itinerary that started with the medieval origins of the Savoy dynasty and led to the glories of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the united Italy.
Over the years Juvarra’s building has been equipped with modern security and air conditioning systems, while preserving the integrity of the original structure. The restoration and refurbishing carried out during the 1990s extended the area for archive keeping by building underground stackrooms, fitted with compactable shelving, as well as areas for staff offices, reading rooms and rooms for public activities and spaces for exhibitions. The conference hall, equipped with modern technology, can seat up to one hundred visitors. This will be the location for our collaborative conference in September 2019.
Le Sezioni Riunite (United Sections) is located in a second building of the State Archives in the neoclassical structure of the historic San Luigi Hospital designed by Giuseppe Talucchi. After being decommissioned as a hospital, in 1925 it became an institute for the preservation of the historic archives of the Court of Auditors and documents from the central State offices prior to the unification of Italy, which had remained in Turin following the national unification in 1861. These include documents from financial, military, judicial and notarial bodies.
L’Archivio di Stato
L’Archivio di Stato di Torino ha due sedi monumentali, l’Archivio di Corte e le Sezioni Riunite, all’interno delle quali si estendono complessivamente circa ottantatremila metri lineari di scaffalature in cui si conservano documenti databili dall’ottavo all’inizio del ventesimo secolo.
Il palazzo degli Archivi di Corte, situato in Piazza Castello, fu progettato da Filippo Juvarra e realizzato fra il 1731 e il 1733. Fin dall’origine l’edificio fu progettato esclusivamente a uso di archivio della Casa Reale dei Savoia, ma ben presto divenne strumento politico del monarca in quanto luogo preposto allaconservazione e consultazione dei titoli giuridici e della documentazione necessari al governo dello Stato. L’organizzazione del materiale d’archivio per soggetto semplificava il reperimento di documenti da parte del monarca e dei suoi ministri, che accedevano all’Archivio (con il consenso del re) mediante un corridoio che attraversava il Palazzo delle Regie Segreterie di Stato. La risistemazione degli Archivi di Corte attuata nell’ottocento re rifletteva la struttura originaria, con suddivisione del complesso documentario per materia giuridica, economica, politica ed ecclesiastica. Tale patrimonio comprendeva anche documenti relativi ai comuni e ai territori del regno, nonché archivi aggiunti all’epoca. Le mappe che mostrano i confini dei domini sono parte integrante dei documenti diplomatici e di politica estera del Ducato di Savoia, del Regno di Sardegna e, a partire dal 1861, del Regno d’Italia.
Una sala del Palazzo juvarriano degli Archivi di Corte ospita il Museo Storico dell’Archivio di Stato, che raccoglie la storia documentaria della Casa Reale dei Savoia. L’allestimento fu realizzato nel 1873 dall’archivista Pietro Vayra, il quale si ispirò ai modelli nazionali e stranieri esistenti. La sua intenzione fu quella di rappresentare, attraverso un complesso documentario organizzato in successione cronologica, un percorso ideologico dal quale emergesse, accanto alla storia dinastica dei Savoia a partire dal medioevo, la gloria di Vittorio Emanuele II quale primo re d’Italia fautore dell’unificazione nazionale.
In anni relativamente recenti la Sezione Corte dell’Archivio di Stato di Torino è stata oggetto di un progetto di recupero ha previsto l’adeguamento e il restauro del Palazzo juvarriano, dotato di moderni sistemi di sicurezza e condizionamento pur preservando l’integrità della struttura originale. È stato inoltre realizzato l’ampliamento dei depositi mediante la costruzione, sotto i giardini reali, di due piani sotterranei dotati di scaffalature compattabili, uffici, sale di lettura, sale espositive e aree riservate ad attività di pubblico interesse. La sala conferenze, dotata di tecnologia moderna, può accogliere un centinaio di persone. Sarà questa la sede della nostra conferenza d’iniziativa congiunta nel settembre 2019.
Le Sezioni Riunite dell’Archivio di Stato di Torino hanno sede nello storico ospedale di San Luigi in stile neoclassico progettato da Giuseppe Talucchi. In seguito alla sua cessata destinazione d’uso a nosocomio, l’edificio fu scelto nel 1925 come nuova sede di tre Sezioni dell’Archivio di Stato esterne all’Archivio di Corte (Guerra, Finanze e Giustizia), prima collocate in edifici diversi, e da quel momento denominato “Sezioni Riunite”.
ABOUT TURIN
Melanie Zefferino has prepared the information below for those visiting Turin. She explains how to travel from the airport into the city, suggests some convenient hotels and gives details of the Museum Card which can be purchased in advance to enable cost-effective access to museums in Turin itself and, if wished, in the wider area.
Turin is the capital city of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. The Alps rise to the northwest of the city. Located mainly on the western bank of the Po River, the city is known for its elegant architecture and as the home of the Turin Shroud, treasured in the cathedral. The University of Turin was founded in the 15th century, when the city used to be a major political centre of the Principality of Piedmont. Stately baroque buildings and old cafes line Turin's boulevards and grand squares such as Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo. In 1562, Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy moved his capital to Turin and commenced a series of building projects using the best architects available at the time. The buildings, lavishly constructed and including embellishments by contemporary artists, were designed to impress the public and demonstrate the power of the House of Savoy, an ancient royal family, founded in 1003 in the Savoy region (now in Rhône-Alpes, France). As well as palaces in Turin itself, country houses and hunting lodges were built by different exponents of the House of Savoy in the surrounding countryside. From 1563, Turin was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy, then of the Kingdom of Sardinia ruled by the Royal House of Savoy, and the first capital of the unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy) from 1861 to 1865. Many of Turin's public squares, castles, gardens and elegant palazzi such as the Palazzo Reale and the Palazzo Madama, were built between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, some of which are in the historical centre of Turin, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1997.
The city has a rich culture and history, being known for its numerous art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces, opera houses, piazzas, parks, gardens, theatres, libraries and museums. The Teatro Regio, destroyed by fire in 1936, was completely redesigned and rebuilt by the architect Carlo Mollino and was inaugurated in 1973.
AIRPORT – TURIN TRANSFER
Turin (Caselle) airport is at a 45 minute drive from the town centre.
The best transfer option is taking a taxi: taxis are available at the airport arrivals and no prior booking is necessary. The fare costs about 30 € (one way).
Public transport is also an option as a SADEM coach to Torino, with stops at the Porta Susa and Porta Nuova railway station departs from the airport every 30 minutes. There are taxi stands in front of those stations, both of which at walking distance from the recommended hotels.
It is best to buy the coach ticket from ticket office at the airport (Arrivals) before getting on the coach. At present online purchase is not available, but it might become possible in the future.
One way ticket: 6.50 €.
Return ticket: 12 €.
See: http://www.sadem.it/en/prodotti/collegamento-aeroporti/torino-caselle-international-airport.aspx
ACCOMMODATION IN TURIN
It is advisable to book your accommodation as soon as possible in hotels at walking distance from the State Archives. We visited the three- and four-star structures listed below, all of which are in a convenient position in the city centre. You may well find special offers on their web sites, or through travel portals such as booking (www.booking.com).
Le Petit Hotel ***
Via San Francesco d’Assisi 21, Torino.
Ph.: + 39 011 5612626
E-mail: info@lepetithotel.it
www. lepetithotel.it
Located in a nice spot of the city centre, half-way from the State Archives and the Porta Susa railway and bus station, this cosy hotel can host up to 100 guests. It has a nice, modern hall and a restaurant annexed. The reception is managed by English and French speaking staff.
Single room daily rate: from 70 €, breakfast included.
Double room daily rate: from 120 €, breakfast included.
HOTEL ROMA (since 1854) ***
Piazza Carlo Felice 60, Torino.
Ph. + 39 011 5612772
Email: info@romarocca.it
Located in the square opposite the Porta Nuova Railway station in the luxury shopping street of Turin, this elegant, old fashioned hotel offers relatively cheap accommodation in a very convenient position. Particularly nice are the single rooms. The hotel has a little meeting room and a well furnished hall with newspapers available to guests.
Single room daily rate: from 70 €, breakfast included.
Double room daily rate: from 120 €, breakfast included.
TOWNHOUSE70****
Via XX Settembre 70, Torino.
Ph.: +39 011 19700003
email: th70@townhousehotels.com
This modern, newly renovated boutique hotel is in the street on the Northwest edge of the Piazza Castello (where the State Archives are), thus very close to the cathedral. There are rooms overlooking the courtyard of the building, which are more silent thus more expensive, and rooms overlooking the street. Limited availability.
Single room daily rate: from 125 €, breakfast included.
Double room daily rate: from 170 €, breakfast included.
GRAND HOTEL SITEA****
Via Carlo Alberto 35, Torino.
Ph.: + 39 011 5170171
email: info@grandhotelsitea.it
www.grandhotelsitea.it
This historic hotel is in the heart of Turin, in a pedestrianised street running from the whereabouts of the Porta Nuova railway station to the Piazza Castello. The rooms, lounge, and service are excellent.
Single room daily rate: from 150 €, breakfast included.
Double room daily rate: from 190 €, breakfast included.
MUSEUM PASS
Turin boasts many museums which it is worth visiting. Especially if you are planning to spend the week-end after the conference in Turin, you may consider buying the Torino+Piemonte Card to access museums in Turin and Piedmont. The card is available for ‘2, 3 or 5 days’; actually, it expires after 48, 60, or 100 hours from its validation, depending on the duration chosen.
The card can be booked online and collected at the tourist information service in Piazza Castello 161, Torino, any day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It can also be bought there without booking, but this may result in spending a long time in a queue.
For more information and/or booking see:
https://www.musement.com/uk/turin/torino-piemonte-card-3454/
MUSEUMS ACCESSIBLE WITH THE MUSEUM PASS
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Savoy Residences and Hunting Lodges |
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The Stupinigi Hunting Lodge |
http://www.ordinemauriziano.it/palazzina-di-caccia-stupinigi |
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The Venaria Royal Residence |
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Basilica of Superga (with the Savoy tombs) |
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The Rivoli Castle (Royal Residence and Contemporary Art Museum) |
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Principal Museums in Turin |
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Royal Museums (apartments, gardens, armoury, and picture gallery) |
https://www.museireali.beniculturali.it/
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Palazzo Madama (Civic Museum of Ancient Art) |
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Teatro Regio (guided visits) |
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Palazzo Carignano (Palace of the Savoy-Carignano Princes designed by Guarino Guarini, with theatre and ball room) |
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Diocesan Museum |
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Museum of the Holy Shroud |
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National Cinema Museum (in the Mole Antonelliana) |
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National Egyptian Museum |
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Pinacoteca Albertina |
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Medieval Borough (Valentino Castle) |
http://www.borgomedievaletorino.it/contenuto1-8.html?pag=132 |
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MAO (Oriental Art Museum) |
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Other Museums of Interest in Turin |
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GAM (Civic Gallery of Modern Art) |
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Museum of Decorative Arts of the Accorsi Foundation |
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National Museum of the Mountains |
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Civic Museum of Criminal Anthropology ‘Cesare Lombroso’ |
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The Giovanni and Marella Agnelli Picture Gallery |
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MAUTO – National Museum of Automobiles |
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