Archivi fotografici per le belle arti: il caso dell’Accademia di Brera. Tracce e percorsi per valorizzare un patrimonio dimenticato

The history of the European Academies of Fine Arts has long suffered from a lack of con- sideration by scholars, thus often causing a ruinous deterioration of the historical-artistic her- itage held by such important pedagogical institutions. In the Italian context, a re-evaluation of their role and incidence within the artistic movements slowly emerged towards the end of the 1970s and has only recently been complemented by a more complex and much-needed map- ping of the heritage they preserve, comprised of valuable archival and photographic objects as well as graphic, sculptural and pictorial works. In this regard, the Brera Academy of Fine Arts hosts a historical photographic archive that collects materials which are fundamental for studying the Art History of the period and which are now subject to a new preservation and enhancement programme.