The Story of the Earth: an exhibition in Somma Lombardo on images of natural phenomena in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century periodicals, curated by DISTA.

From 28 March to 27 April, Castello Visconti di San Vito in Somma Lombardo will host the public exhibition entitled “The Story of the Earth. Images and Representations in Italian Periodicals between the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries”, based on the results of research carried out by the Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences of the University of Insubria as part of the PRIN 2022 project “Communicating and Representing the Earth. Structures and Phenomena in Italy between the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Centuries”, coordinated by Professor Ezio Vaccari. 

The study and design activities took place at the University’s Research Centre on the History of Mountains, Material Culture and Earth Sciences. 

Curated by Maria Faccioli, the exhibition offers a dedicated journey through the representation and communication of natural phenomena considered catastrophic between the mid-eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. Through Italian literary and scientific periodicals, popular science magazines and iconographic materials, the exhibition places narratives and images of volcanic phenomena, earthquakes, floods and meteorological events at its centre. 

The project addresses a highly topical issue, recalling questions that are central today, such as environmental prevention and climate change. The research reconstructs the role of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Italian journals in spreading scientific knowledge, in the relationship between emerging theories and popular fears, and in the circulation of information within national and European scientific networks. Particular attention has also been paid to risk communication and the contribution of scientists and artists in making knowledge about natural phenomena linked to Earth sciences accessible to the public. 

The exhibition is divided into 11 panels displayed in the Hall of Honour of Castello Visconti di San Vito, thanks to co-organisation with the Fondazione Visconti di San Vito onlus. The exhibition has also received the patronage of the Italian Historic Houses Association – Lombardy Section. At the end of the exhibition, the project will continue with new in-depth activities and the expansion of the cataloguing and digitisation of materials, which will be included in a dedicated online platform. 

The exhibition can be visited during the Castle’s opening hours: on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 11.45 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment using the following contacts: 0331 256337; 3667507462; castellovisconti@libero.it. 

• For information: ezio.vaccari@uninsubria.it; m.faccioli@uninsubria.it