Angelo Maria Bandini (1726-1803)

Angelo Maria Bandini was born in Florence in 1726. At the age of 10, he was orphaned, but was supported by an uncle in order to continue his education. He studied initially with a Jesuit priest in Florence and then proceeded to the University of Pisa. He had a brilliant and far-ranging ability and through this was able to make his way, gaining support from a number of well-established patrons, not only in Florence but also subsequently during his period in Rome, where he studied for the priesthood. He returned to Florence in 1751, initially as librarian of the newly established Marucellian Library and then, from 1756, as librarian of the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana (BML), one of the foremost libraries in the north of Italy. He was also appointed a canon of the church of San Lorenzo in Florence.

As librarian of the BML, Bandini continued the work of his predecessor, A.M. Biscioni, in preparing a complete catalogue of its manuscripts and was responsible for listing its holdings in Greek (1763-1770), Latin (1774-1777) and Italian (1778). Further volumes followed, listing the many manuscripts which were transferred to the BML from various other libraries during this period by order of Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany. Bandini is also notable for his scholarly efforts in researching items held by the Library and in preparing many manuscripts for publication. During the period under his care, the library grew substantially and became the paramount repository of Florence and one of the leading libraries in North Italy. Bandini himself enjoyed a similar reputation and stature: he knew or corresponded with many of the leading humanists of that period and received many honours including membership of academies in Parish, Naples and Florence. His reputation as an authority on manuscripts and bibliographical method caused many to seek his advice from all across Europe.

Bandini also built up a notable art collection, concentrating on the Italian Primitives and the Della Robbia workshop. Towards the end of his life, Bandini retired to Fiesole, the town from which his parents had originated. On his death there in 1803, he bequeathed his art collection to the Bishop and Chapter of Fiesole, where it is still held today in the Museo Bandini.