Amici di Federico Zeri Association

Join us in supporting young scholars and their passion for art history.

The Amici di Federico Zeri was originally established to harness the good will and gratitude of numerous patrons, collectors, scholars and dealers of art who knew and benefitted from their friendship and collaboration with the renowned connoisseur throughout his lifetime.

Over time the group grew and in September 2020 it was formally established as an association, with the aim of structuring its activities more effectively and strengthening its support for the scientific projects of the Federico Zeri Foundation.

Federico Zeri (1921–1998) was an unconventional art historian, a profound connoisseur and refined communicator. After some years in the public administration, he left to pursue an independent career, working closely with collectors and art dealers. He developed a view of art history as an integral part of universal history, grounded in a rigorous method of attribution and philological analysis.

His relationship with the international world were of great significance: as a visiting professor at Harvard University in Cambridge and at Columbia University in New York, he played a leading role in the establishment of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Malibu. He authored the repertory of Italian paintings in American public collections, the catalogue of the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore (1976), and the four volumes of the catalogue of Italian paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (1971, 1973, 1980, 1986).

In the 1980s and 1990s, he stood out as a popular writer and defender of Italy’s artistic heritage, contributing to newspapers and serving as Vice President of the National Council for Cultural Heritage (1994–1998).

Dedicated to promoting the research in the field of art history and supporting emerging scholars, the Amici di Federico Zeri Association is committed to fostering the growth of young art historians. Over the years, it has promoted numerous scholarships and research grants that encourage the exploration of themes such as the history of the Italian antiquities market, the role of photographic archives, and the dissemination of Federico Zeri’s cultural and intellectual legacy.

In close collaboration with the Federico Zeri Foundation, the Association supports several key initiatives including the cataloguing of significant sections of the Zeri Photographic Archive and the acquisition of new photographic collections. These efforts continually enhance the archive’s holdings and expand opportunities for scholarly research worldwide.

Furthermore, it contributes to the Incontri in Biblioteca series, a program of public lectures, dedicated to the presentation of books, catalogues, and major exhibitions, featuring renowned authors and curators from the international art historical community. Through these activities, the Association actively advances the Foundation’s scientific and cultural mission, enriching both the study and dissemination of art historical knowledge.

There are two ways you can support the Association. The first is by contributing through a membership fee, which helps us sponsor and develop the various projects approved by the Trustees. The second allows you to directly support a specific project, dedicating your contribution exclusively to that initiative. Whichever option you choose, you’ll gain access to a world of exclusive experiences: invitations to private conferences, guided tours of prestigious exhibitions, museums, collections, and hidden gems rarely open to the public. You will also become part of the vibrant community of the Federico Zeri Foundation.

Further benefits include:

• Appropriate visibility through inclusion in the membership list published on the Association’s website and in all printed materials related to the supported initiatives.
• Reserved seating at conferences, lectures, and seminars organized by the Federico Zeri Foundation, as part of the annual institutional program.
• Dedicated research assistance in the Zeri Library and Photographic Archive, provided by the Foundation’s specialized staff.
• Complimentary copies of publications issued by the Association and the Federico Zeri Foundation.
• Free admission to the Museum of Art and to the exhibitions of the Luigi Rovati Foundation.
• Reserved seating at conferences, lectures, and guided tours of exhibitions, museums, collections, and places of special interest organized by the Amici di Brera.

US based donors

Our friends and supporters based in the United States can support our activities through a contribution to the Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri OdV US Fund at Myriad USA, a U.S. public charity within the meaning of Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors may be eligible for a U.S. income tax deduction for their contributions to the extent permitted by U.S. tax law.

In accordance with U.S. tax law, Myriad USA retains complete control and discretion over amounts contributed to the Fund. To contribute to the Fund, here is how to proceed:

• Gifts by check: Make the check out to Myriad USA, write Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri OdV US Fund in the memo section of the check, and send it to Myriad USA, 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10176.
• Gifts by credit card: Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri OdV | Every.org.
• Gifts by wire transfer or to contribute other types of property: Contact Myriad USA at: email info@myriadusa.org, phone (212) 713 7660.

EU and UK resident

• Bank Transfer
  Account holder: Associazione Amici di Federico Zeri OdV
  IBAN: IT58 N030 6909 6061 0000 0182 108
  BIC / SWIFT: BCITITMM
  Recipient’s bank name and address: Intesa SanPaolo – Milano, Piazza Paolo Ferrari, 10
  Reference: Donation AFZ + Full name

The Federico Zeri Foundation is a research and specialized training centre in the field of art history, established by the University of Bologna in 1999 with the aim of preserving and promoting the work and legacy of Federico Zeri. Its mission is to make widely accessible his extraordinary inheritance, including the art library (46,000 volumes and 37,000 auction catalogues) and the photographic archive (290,000 photographs).

In addition to Zeri’s original collections, numerous important photographic archives have been added over the years, bringing the total to around 460,000 photographs of monuments and artworks. Acquisitions and donations have also expanded the library, which now houses 95,000 volumes, 58,000 of which are available to the public.

One of the Foundation’s main goals is the cataloguing and digitization of the complete photographic archive. Today, it hosts an online database of over 200,700 images, constantly growing and freely accessible, considered the most important collection of Italian art available online. The Foundation is deeply involved in advanced education, offering seminars and courses in art history and photographic archive cataloguing, providing valuable opportunities for hands-on learning and fieldwork.

It also promotes research by hosting scholarships and doctoral programs. Additionally, it plays a leading role in public engagement through lectures, conferences, and a series of publications focusing on art history, collecting, and connoisseurship.