mappamuseo

Library

The library, planned to offer an ambiance well-suited for study and concentration, is furnished with built-in wooden cabinets. The room’s pictorial decoration, realized in 1887 by Luigi Cavenaghi, was inspired by the 16th century frescoes by Bergognone in the chapter house room of Santa Maria della Passione in Milan. A precious pair of globes—one terrestrial, one celestial—datable to 1579 is perched on 19th century pedestals, while the long central table sports antique objects in ivory, little coffers and scientific instruments.

Latin mottos

OMNIA LABU(N)TUR VIRTUS VIRESCIT

Everything passes away, virtue gets stronger

ON THE UPPER PART OF THE WALLS ON THE LEFT 

FERENDUM ET SPERAND(U)M

One must endure and hoper

NE SPO(N)DETO NI(HI)L DEBETO

No promises, no obligations

IN MEDIO VIRTUS

Everything in moderation (literally: virtue is in the middle)

(A saying present in the works of Aristotle, Horace and Ovid)

AEQUUS ANIMUS SATIS

(Oh that) the soul (may be) sufficiently serene

VIGILANDUM CONIVENDUM

It is necessary to be vigilant and indulgent

FALSA PLURIMA VULGUS AMAT

The masses really love false things

(Tibullus, Elegies, III, 3, v.19)

FAUSTUS DE BAGATTIS FIERI IUSSIT AN(N)O D(OMI)NI MDCCCLXXXVII

Faustus of the Bagatti commissioned (it) in the year of the Lord 1887 (literally: ordered it done)

CAVENAGUS INV(ENIT) ROGOLINUS PIN(XIT)

Cavenago ideated (it), Rogolino painted (it)

GLORIA CUIQUE SUA EST

To each his own glory

(Tibullus, Elegies, I, 4, v.77)

SPES VITAM FOVET

Hope warms life

(Tibullus, Elegies, II, 6, v.19-20)

HEU FUGACES LABU(N)TUR AN(N)I

Oh, my, how the years flow swiftly

(Horace, Odes, II, 14)

PAX DE BAGATIS REFICIENDA CUR(AVIT) ROCCATAGLIATA OPUS PERF(ECIT) ANNO D(OMI)NI MCMLVIII

Pasino of the Bagatti saw to the restoration, Roccatagliata finished the work in the year 1958

LEONEM NE TO(N)DETO

Let sleeping dogs lie (literally: don’t clip the lion)

STATERAM NE TRA(N)SILITO

Don’t go beyond (your) limits

UMBRAM NE METIARE

Don’t measure shadows

IGNEM GLADIO NE FODITO

Don’t feed fire with swords

(Latin proverb cited in the “Lamia” of Poliziano and in the “Adagia” of Erasmus of Rotterdam, as well as being cut into the façade of the Naselli Crispi mansion in Ferrara)

TEMPUS FACIT EXPERIE(N)TIAM

With time comes experience (literally: time makes experience)

IN ACTIONE VIRTUS

(There is) virtue in action

USUS DISCENDI DOCE(N)DIQ(UE) MAGIST(ER)

Practice makes perfect (in both) learning and teaching (literally: practice is the guide of learning and teaching)

NEC SCIRE FAS EST OMNIA

It’s not possible to know everything

(Horace, Odes, IV, 4, v.22)

HODIE MIHI CRAS TIBI

Today it’s my turn, tomorrow it’s yours (literally: today to me, tomorrow to you)

(Medieval proverb)

ON THE LOWER PART OF THE BOOKCASES, ON THE LEFT

VIRTUS

Virtue

RESPICE FINEM

Keep your eye on the goal (literally: look to the goal)

(Petrarch, De remediis, cap.17)

LABOR SEMPER AMOR

Work (is) always love

ON THE UPPER PART OF THE BOOKCASES, ON THE RIGHT

BONIS ET VITA ET MORS DULCIS EST

For good (people), both life and death are sweet

ON SECOND PILASTER TO THE LEFT OF THE BOOKSTAND

Audio guide codes

5 - Library

52 - Two globes

55 - Roulette wheel