Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, as is well known, is the oldest bank still in operation, therefore the art collection is accompanied by a historical archive declared – with ministerial notification from the Ministry for Cultural and Environmental Heritage dated 7 April 1997 – of "considerable historical interest", whose ancient documents are kept in the museum premises on the ground floor of Rocca Salimbeni.

Digital management system for artistic heritage

Digital management system for the antique book collection

The vast art collection of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the result of a historical stratification of clients and important targeted acquisitions that has gradually assumed the physiognomy of a real "collection". The first works of art, in fact, were created to give prestige and fame to the Institute in the relevant episodes of its centuries-old activity.

However the greatest development of the collection took place, starting from the 1980s, when, in an illuminated way, spaces were planned to house a museum structure in the complex of palaces of the historical headquarters, in Siena. Since then, the Bank has turned its attention to the works of the Sienese "artistic school", considered one of the most significant in the history of the figurative culture of our country since its inception.

An important collection of paintings, sculptures and furnishings was formed mainly by the Sienese school from the 14th to the 19th century, among which, however, interesting forays stand out, particularly in the Italian 1900s.

The Bank's holdings of books, both ancient and modern, are also vast. Of particular interest is the Fonds Librario Antico, composed of editions (often "unique" in the library circuit) from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, miscellaneous and large formats, as well as a rich section of manuscripts.

fondazionemps.it