Scientific cataloging and analysis of a unique 18th century library

In 2001 and 2007, the internationally significant art and architecture library at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts was preserved and housed in the room created by member Åke Axelsson, thanks to generous grants from the Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg Foundations. The collection has a unique core of study and teaching materials for students and members from the 18th and early 19th centuries and serves one of the world's oldest surviving schools of architecture. The library contains around 1200 works, including rarities such as Colonna's Hypnerotomachia Poliphili from 1545, Dürer's anatomy for artists in the first French edition from 1550, the first edition of Piranesi's Le Antichita Romane from 1776, the first French edition of Palladio from 1650 and the richly illustrated first edition of the work Ludwig Gottfried: Historia Antipodium oder Newe Welt from 1631 - all of considerable value. A major shortcoming is the cataloging of the collection; the only catalog is still a booklet from 1806 that gave the library its name. The collection has therefore remained unknown to the scholarly and museum world. The application aims to have one of Sweden's leading experts carry out a scientific cataloging in English, highlighting the value and uniqueness of each volume. The aim is to make the catalog available online and at the same time publish a richly illustrated volume. This will enhance the country's reputation in international research.