The Family Travels project

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Università degli Studi dell’Insubria

The IRCLH’s Photographic Archive

Address: viale G.B. Vico, 46 (Villa Toeplitz) - 21100 Varese - Italy

Consultation by appointment

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

tel. +39 332 219800 - 219802

Introduction

The archives hold images documenting a significant portion of local artistic heritage and works by artists from the Varese area. From the initial photos of the 1950s (studies and panoramas of Sacro Monte, Varese Lake, and Monte Rosa) to studies of portraits and reproductions of works of art (first images of the crypt under the sanctuary of Varese's Sacro Monte, 1958); documentation on several historic buildings, villas, interiors and exteriors of churches throughout the province of Varese.

There is a remarkable collection of the works of artists such as, among others, Isidoro Bianchi da Campione, Giovan Battista Ronchelli, Antonio Magatti, the Morazzone, Francesco Cairo, Renato Guttuso, Lucio Fontana, Franco Rognoni, Edoardo Caravati.

The archive includes a substantial documentation of Varese's Sacro Monte: hamlet, sanctuary and chapel walkway, relating both to the monuments (restorations, heritage currently preserved in the chapels and sanctuary, and buildings that form the hamlet of Santa Maria del Monte), and to events held in the village (preparation and inauguration of Renato Guttuso's Mural at the Third Chapel, October 1983; visit of HS Pope John Paul II, 1984; inauguration ceremonies of restored chapels, since March 1985; unveiling of the monument to Paul VI, 1986; laying of wagons and inauguration of the funicular, 1998-2000; jubilee of the year 2000; performances, concerts, sacred representations, processions and other religious activities).

From a chronological point of view, the images are grouped into the following areas:

1950s: General and panoramic views of Sacro Monte, Campo dei Fiori, Varese Lake, and views of Monte Rosa from Varese Lake; portrait studies; documentation on the first alpinism course of the Varese CAI (1958); CAI campaign in Val Ridanna (Alto Adige) during the international geophysical year (September 11-18, 1958); study on the interior of the shrine crypt of Santa Maria del Monte.

Late 1950s-1960s: documentation of studies in collaboration with prof. Salvatore Furia (later Centro Geofisico Prealpino); study journeys to Venice, Tuscany and Rome within the field of landscape photography and art reproduction; study on the frescoes in the Schirannetta church in Casbeno (Varese) and in the crypt of Santa Maria del Monte (1964); study, with polarized light and polarizing filter, on the works of Bernardino Lanino in the church of S. Mauro in Legnano (September 1967); collaborations with prof. Silvano Colombo for the realization of art volumes, with images related to works of art in the province of Varese.

1970s: collaboration with architect Bruno Ravasi on the restoration of the churches of S. Stefano in Bizzozero, S. Antonio alla Motta and S. Martino, the bell tower of S. Vittore, and the historic center of Masnago; studies on Belforte Castle and Pavia Picture Gallery; campaign on the sanctuary of Ghirli in Campione d'Italia (Como).

Since 1980s:

Varese: documentation of works preserved at Santa Maria del Monte; extensive campaigns about the heritage of the municipality of Varese (picture gallery, areas to be restored in Biumo Superiore, Veratti salon before and after restoration, Madonnina church in Biumo Inferiore, Bosto area with S. Imerio church and Cagna area); heritage of the Civic Museums, interiors of the basilica of S. Vittore and baptistery (fully documented in 1982 with additions in the following years as well); partial documentation of works of art in the churches of S. Giuseppe, S. Martino and S. Antonio; Villa Panza (Biumo Superiore); series of panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, taken from the location of Loreto-Bellavista (in 1981, with 20x25 cm film), from the Bernascone tower (1982 with 24x36 mm film) and from the bell tower of the church of San Giorgio in Biumo (1983, with 6x7 cm film). Study of Morandini's works: De Bortoli and Piazza INA (in 1983 with 20x25 cm film).

Varese province: documentation of the artistic heritage of the areas of Azzio (former Franciscan convent), Brebbia, Casale Litta, Cislago, Cunardo, Gorla, Lavena Ponte Tresa, Morazzone, Sesto Calende (abbey of S. Donato), Travedona Monate, Venegono Inferiore, Casalzuigno (villa Bozzolo); images related to studies and research on works (usually frescoes painted between 1400 and 1500) having for subject the Madonnas of Loreto (1998); works preserved in the Rocca di Angera (1998); a partial photographic campaign on works of art in the churches of Busto Arsizio (year 2000).

Insubria region: Complete documentation of the Ghirli Sanctuary in Campione d'Italia (works by Isidoro Bianchi, Lanfranco and Filippolo de Veris, Bernardino Luini); Villa del Balbianello; Borromean Islands

Italy: pictures of Avio (TN) and Parma.

The Photographic Archive is open to users and students by prior appointment to be made by writing to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It is possible to request reproductions of photos held at the Archives. Any public use of the photographic material belonging to the Archives must be subject to specific and explicit written permission from the owner of the work.

For the Press Review, please see the Italian version 

Brochure  

With support from: