Treccani Publishing and Major Works
The landscape of Italian knowledge and cultural preservation is anchored by a series of monumental publishing achievements. From the comprehensive scope of the Great Encyclopaedia to specialized studies on art and industry, these works serve as a definitive record of human achievement and national identity.
The Great Encyclopaedia
The Great Encyclopaedia stands as a cornerstone of scholarly publishing. The first edition was released serially between 1929 and 1937, resulting in a massive collection of 35 volumes and one dedicated index volume. This ambitious project comprises approximately 60,000 articles and 50 million words, with each volume spanning roughly 1,015 pages.
To ensure the content remains relevant in a changing world, supplementary volumes were published continuously from 1938 through 2020. One such update is the 10th Appendix, which focuses on contemporaneity. This appendix analyzes modern challenges and problematic issues through more than 350 keywords, with contributions from high-profile scientific experts and internationally established young scholars.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Specialized National Records
Biographical Dictionary of the Italians
This monumental national biography documents the lives of over 40,000 Italians. It tracks individuals who have shaped the country's artistic, cultural, political, scientific, religious, literary, and economic history, spanning the timeline from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the present day.
Italian Enterprise
Edited by Franco Amatori and Marco D'Alberti, this two-volume work examines Italy's entrepreneurial, technological, and scientific evolution. It is divided into two distinct perspectives:
- The Stories: A collection of biographies focusing on representative industrial enterprises across various sizes, sectors, territories, and governance models.
- The Context: A series of thematic essays that place Italian enterprise within its complex operating environment, exploring its relationship with politics, institutions, and the pressures of globalization.
Contemporary Art
Edited by Vincenzo Trione and Valeria Della Valle and supported by an international scientific committee, this four-volume survey documents the global art system. Rather than focusing solely on artists, the work provides an inclusive perspective by cataloging art historians, critics, curators, gallerists, merchants, and dealers.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Preservation through Facsimile Reproductions
To protect and share the artistic and literary heritage of Europe, high-quality facsimile reproductions (exact copies of original documents) of illuminated manuscripts from major libraries are produced. A recent highlight is the reproduction of a magnificent 11th–12th-century Gospel book from the Laurentian Library in Florence (signature Plut. 6.23).
This specific work contains 237 folios and 285 illustrations. According to scholar Tania Velmans in the accompanying 2020 essay, Il Tetravangelo della Laurenziana, the manuscript is a unique specimen due to its abundance of illustrations and its commitment to reconstructing the evangelical story through imagery in an almost integral way.
Key Facts
- Great Encyclopaedia: 35 volumes plus one index, 60,000 articles, and 50 million words.
- Biographical Dictionary: Over 40,000 biographies covering from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to today.
- Contemporary Art: A 4-volume survey covering artists, curators, and the broader art market.
- Italian Enterprise: A 2-volume study of industrial history and global competitive contexts.
- Laurentian Library Gospel: An 11th–12th-century manuscript with 237 folios and 285 illustrations.
| Work | Scope/Format | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Great Encyclopaedia | 36 Volumes (incl. index) | General knowledge and contemporaneity |
| Biographical Dictionary | 40,000+ Biographies | Italian national history and contribution |
| Contemporary Art | 4 Volumes | Global art system and practitioners |
| Italian Enterprise | 2 Volumes | Industrial and technological development |
| Facsimile Reproductions | Various (e.g., Plut. 6.23) | Conservation of illuminated manuscripts |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first edition of the Great Encyclopaedia published?
The first edition was published serially between 1929 and 1937.
What is the purpose of the 10th Appendix?
The 10th Appendix serves as a reflection on contemporaneity, analyzing modern challenges through over 350 keywords assigned to expert authors and scholars.
What time period does the Biographical Dictionary of the Italians cover?
It covers the history of Italy from the fall of the Western Roman Empire up to the present day.
Who is included in the Contemporary Art survey?
The work catalogues artists, art historians, critics, curators, gallerists, merchants, and dealers.
What makes the Laurentian Library Gospel book (Plut. 6.23) unique?
It is noted for its abundance of illustrations, its fidelity to evangelical texts, and its effort to reconstruct the evangelical story through images almost integrally.