Gian Vincenzo Pinelli (1535–1601) i jego biblioteka naukowa

Gian Vincenzo Pinelli (1535–1601) became an important figure in late Renaissance Italy due to his library. A son of an extremely wealthy Genovese banker turned Neapolitan aristocrat, Pinelli left his hometown Naples in 1558 to complete his studies at the prestigious university of Padua. Having settled in Padua, however, he soon became involved in the thriving intellectual life of the city, indulging in his passion for Classics and botany instead of pursuing formal studies. Thanks to his father’s money, he was able to spend the rest of his life collecting books. Unlike typical bibliophiles of his age, he allowed scholars working in Padua to use his library, which became one more reason for foreign intellectuals to visit the city. Selfless and friendly, Pinelli often offered them the possibility of staying at his house. Sadly, his great project of establishing an open access library founded by his private means did not became reality due to a series of misfortunes which led to the dispersal of his collection soon after his death.