Making scientific culture: exchanging naturalistic books and journals in the community of the Gioenian Academy during the 19th century

Abstract

The iconography of a selection of twenty scientific journals (18th-19th century; criteria of choice: year of foundation, international spread, reputation and iconographic relevance, naturalistic prevalence) of which the library of the Gioenian Academy owns some series and years, obtained through exchanges of publications, has been analyzed. The aim is to promote the knowledge and increase the visibility of their cultural heritage. It spans two centuries towards a wide audience of members, citizens, scholars, institutions and companies interested in the scientific culture of authors of the past. The wonder of the natural object represented, of the images which enchants (natura picta in support of the rational investigation) is associated with the intention to educate subjects to iconographic taste of scientific matrix and to call for the preservation of this aspect of the knowledge written and illustrated.