The MeB project, resulted from the collaboration between the Scuola Normale Superiore and the Bargello Museums. Its main objective was the development of shared, applied research, aimed at the modernization of the scientific analysis processes and art-historical study of small-scale metal production of the Early Modern age. Moreover, it aimed at elaborating new operational solutions of potential interest for similar cultural contexts, also throughout the use of 3D laser scans.

1. RESEARCHERS:
Dr. Camilla Parisi (Humanities, 1st year)
Dr. Giulia Daniele (Humanities, 2nd year)
Dr. Francesca Di Turo (Science, 1st-2nd year)
Scientific coordinator: Prof. Lucia Simonato (SNS)
DEPARTMENTS:
Classe di Lettere e Filosofia, Scuola Normale Superiore
Classe di Scienze, Scuola Normale Superiore
Bargello Museum, Florence
LAB:
Nest, Scuola Normale Superiore
DocStar, Scuola Normale Superiore
MeB

2. Research
activity
The MeB project ("Knowing and preserving the small metals of the Bargello: new art-historical and
scientific investigations on medals and plaques of the modern age"), resulted from the
collaboration between the Scuola Normale Superiore and the Bargello Museums (Director, Dr.
Paola D'Agostino). Its main objective was the development of shared, applied research, aimed at
the modernization of the scientific analysis processes and art-historical study of small-scale metal
production of the Early Modern age. Moreover, it aimed at elaborating new operational solutions
of potential interest for similar cultural contexts, also throughout the use of 3D laser scans.
Art-historical investigations
Dr. Camilla Parisi (September 2020-September 2021): Study and cataloguing of the Bargello’s so-
called 'Würzburg treasury' (approx. 200 medals);
Dr. Giulia Daniele (December 2021-December 2022): Study and cataloguing of gold and silver
papal medals ranging between 16th and 18th centuries and kept in the Bargello collection (224
specimens).
Scientific investigations
Dr. Francesca Di Turo (November 2020-May 2021): non-invasive investigations on medals
conducted at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, and within the NEST Nano-Technology
Laboratory, under the scientific direction of Prof. Fabio Beltram; collaboration with Ri.Co.
Application of 3D imaging techniques for the documentation and study of medals at the DocStar
Laboratory of the SNS
SNS staff (Dr. GiandonatoTartarelli)
Dr. Francesca Di Turo

3. Images

4. Technologies and services
3D acquisitions were made using two Artec Scanners and photogrammetry. The acquired data, in the
form of meshes, were processed with Artec Studio 15 software at the DocStar laboratory of the Scuola
Normale Superiore.
Non-destructive investigations on medals:
➢ Optical microscopy
➢ Scanning electron microscopy with EDS microprobe (SEM-EDS); superficial, noninvasive and
nondestructive analysis
➢ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); noninvasive and nondestructive, useful for
identification of organic materials
In the art-historical field, analytical catalogue entries were prepared for each medal considered, in order
to create an first core of material to be deposited in the digital database of the Museum’s collections.

5. Applications
and
collaborations
Preliminary investigations for environmental sensors: study of thermo-hygrometric
parameters for the conservation of metal artifacts. Through collaboration with Ri.Co, a
sensor of their production was tested, evaluating the acquisition of environmental data.
This phase was preparatory to the implementation of museum preventive conservation.
Objectives:
➢ Supporting humanistic research and promoting dialogue with the field of Science
➢ Applying analytical technologies to study musealized and never characterized
samples
➢ Scientific focus and valorization of the considered samples
From the MeB project already descended a new collaboration between the Scuola
Normale Superiore (the project’s scientific coordinator, Prof. Lucia Simonato) and the
Museo Nazionale del Bargello (with its Director, Dr. Paola D'Agostino), co-funded by the
Museum itself and aimed at selecting a researcher who could support the shared
preparation of the new layout of the Baroque Room and of the Medagliere Room. Dr.
Giulia Daniele (already research fellow of MeB) won the related selection procedure.
In October 2023, the researchers and the MeB’s scientific coordinator will also attend
the FIDEM Congress (International Art Medal Federation) in Florence, where they will
present some of the project’s results.

6. Tech Transfer Office of the Scuola Normale Superiore
Headquarters: Piazza dei Cavalieri, 7 - 56126 Pisa, Italy; Palazzo
Strozzi, Piazza Strozzi - 50123 Florence, Italy
Web site: https://www.sns.it/it/reti-del-trasferimento-tecnologico
E-mail: kto@sns.it
Regionale Tech Transfer Office
Headquarters: Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 8 - 50121 Florence, Italy
E-mail: urtt.@regione.toscana.it
For more information
For more information