The Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica is a museum of international importance created in order to preserve, protect and promote a legacy of works that document all the different sectors of the graphic arts, from the serial nature of multiple prints to the uniqueness of matrices and drawings as well as photography. Its foundation in 1975 was the result of merging the Calcografia Nazionale and the Gabinetto Nazionale delle Stampe, whose ancient traditions still work to shape the ING's specialized profile. The collections of matrices, prints, drawings, art videos and photographs are combined with specialized restoration facilities and a printing works with over a century of experience. Palazzo Poli was bought in 1978 to house this rich heritage, previously divided between the historical repositories of the Palazzo della Calcografia by the Trevi Fountain and the Villa Farnesina alla Lungara. The work of restoration and refurbishment, which did not get underway until 1986, reached completion only recently to allow the effective unification of the collections in the summer of 2008. The ING has worked steadily for over three decades to promote the study of its collections, not least through exhibitions and collaboration with similar bodies at the international level, thus establishing the centrality of its role in Italy as regards the conservation, presentation and study of works of graphic art. The range of different collections makes it possible in many cases to carry out comparative examination of items all the way from the preparatory drawing to the plate, proof and print. Combined with the presence of over 23 ,400 matrices and the restoration and printing facilities, this possibility is particularly conducive to the study of printmaking techniques. The huge collection of over152,000 prints, primarily of the Italian school, covers the period from the 15th century up to the present day. The collection of some 25,000 drawings is characterized by an ancient nucleus, stretching from the 15th to the 19th century, but also provides an interesting overview of the activities of present-day artists, many of whom have worked with the ING. Equally significant is the profile of the photographic collection, comprising daguerreotypes as well as negatives and positives and kept constantly up to date with contemporary developments. The constant juxtaposition of ancient and modern works thus constitutes a characteristic aspect of the institute over the years.
OPENING HOURS
10.00 – 19.00
CLOSED
Monday
CLOSED ON HOLIDAY
Dicember 25, Gennuary 1
ADMISSION
Gratuito
ADDRESS
Via Poli, 54 (Fontana di Trevi)
00187 Rome
E-MAIL
in-g.multimediali@beniculturali.it (ONLY icons)
WEBSITE
www.grafica.beniculturali.it