3.3. Revolución científica I. Ulisse Aldrovandi, coleccionista.
Introduction to Ulisse Aldrovandi
In this section, we are introduced to Ulisse Aldrovandi, a prominent scientist of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries who was an active collector of natural objects for over 60 years.
Early Life and Network of Correspondents
- Aldrovandi maintained a rich collection of natural objects from the plant, animal, and mineral kingdoms in his cabinet around the city of Bologna.
- He was able to gather this collection by maintaining a network of correspondents through steady scientific correspondence.
- Throughout his life, Aldrovandi wrote letters instead of publishing many books.
Works Published
- Aldrovandi published two great works during his lifetime: The Ornithology dedicated to birds and a monograph dedicated to insects.
- The Ornithology contained anecdotes, engravings, drawings taken from paintings he commissioned from Bolognese painters and other artists of the time.
Scientific Practices
- During his stay in Rome, Aldrovandi met Rondelet who was carrying out research on fish. This type of scientific practice attracted him and he devoted himself to developing these practices throughout his life.
- Luca Ghini taught him another fundamental technique for preserving specimens in his cabinet - the dry herbarium technique.
- Another practice associated with a space adjacent to his cabinet is the garden where he worked directly on medicinal herbs at University of Bologna Botanical Garden.
Conclusion
Aldrovandi's vast network of knowledge and circulation made it possible for him to spread knowledge without moving from his native Bologna.