Collection
Campana collection
Campana collection is a collection.
About Campana collection
Overview & Identity
The Campana collection refers to the vast assemblage of art and antiquities amassed by Giampietro Campana (1808–1880), an Italian banker, archaeologist, and art collector who was created Marquis of Cavelli in 1849. Recognized as one of the nineteenth century's greatest private collections, it encompassed over 12,000 items ranging from Greek and Roman sculpture, Etruscan terracottas, and ancient jewelry to Italian paintings from the Byzantine era through the Renaissance. The collection is historically significant not only for its sheer volume and quality but for its role in shaping the public museum holdings of major European institutions, particularly the Musée du Louvre and the State Hermitage Museum, following its forced dispersal in 1861.
History & Founding
Giampietro Campana began his collecting activities in the 1830s, initially focusing on ancient terracottas and jewelry before expanding to sculpture and paintings as his financial standing improved. The collection was physically housed in the Villa Campana, a property he expanded in 1846 by acquiring land opposite the San Giovanni hospital in Rome to create a 'villa-museum.' The family had previously owned a casino on the site where they stored antiquities. Campana's collecting was fueled by his position as director of the Monte di Pietà, a role he assumed in 1833, which unfortunately led to his financial ruin. He was arrested in 1855 for embezzlement after misappropriating over four million lire from the Monte di Pietà, leading to the seizure of his collection by the Pontifical State in 1861.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The collection was cataloged in 1858 into twelve sections, including vases, bronzes, jewelry, coins, terracottas, glass, and paintings. Notable highlights included the 'Campana reliefs,' a series of Roman architectural terracotta reliefs that became a distinct category in art history. The collection also featured significant ancient gold jewelry, such as earrings in the form of genii and necklaces, as well as major Renaissance masterpieces. Specific works included Paolo Uccello's 'The Battle of San Romano: The Counter-attack of Micheletto da Cotignola,' Giotto's 'Painted Cross,' and works by Sandro Botticelli. The collection also contained five frescoes and a vast array of Greek pottery, with nine galleries in the Louvre eventually dedicated to these items.
Dispersal & Current Locations
Following Campana's conviction for embezzlement in 1857 and the subsequent seizure of his assets, the collection was sold in 1861. The dispersal was a major cultural event in Europe. Tsar Alexander II purchased a significant portion for the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The remainder, comprising over 10,000 works, was purchased by Napoleon III for the French State. These works were distributed between the Musée du Louvre and various regional museums in France. The Louvre specifically acquired the Greek pottery and the 'primitive' Italian paintings, which were later housed in a dedicated space in 1976. The sale of the collection to the Louvre alone generated over four million lire, far exceeding Campana's debts.
Significance & Legacy
The Campana collection is regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of museum formation, transforming a private 'treasure hunt' into a cornerstone of public heritage. The 'Campana reliefs' remain a standard reference for Roman architectural terracottas. The collection's dispersal enriched the national museums of France and Russia, providing them with foundational holdings of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities, as well as early Italian painting. The exhibition 'A Dream of Italy' in 2018-2019 marked the first time since 1861 that the collection was reunited, highlighting its enduring importance in the Italian and European cultural consciousness and its influence on 19th-century artists and artisans, particularly in gold and silversmithing.