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Paper short abstract:

The main objective of this paper is to give to public knowledge the allure for Rome through the analysis of King John V’s Library in Mafra’s Royal Convent and Palace, where the presence of books about the city, history, geography, art of Rome contributed to the circulation of Italian taste.

Paper long abstract:

The Royal Convent and Palace of Mafra was built in the eighteenth century by order of King John V (1689-1750). The building covers almost four hectares, and includes a Convent, Church, Palace, gardens and a Game Reserve. Mafra's complex was enriched with fine pieces of art commissioned to the most important Portuguese, French and Italian masters. In fact, the major artistic influence came from Italy, especially from Rome, due to the presence of Roman artists in Mafra.

The allure of Rome is also visible in Mafra's Library 36.000 book's collection. During John V kingdom, Royal Libraries were incremented with important foreign press books and manuscripts that King John V commissioned to its ambassadors in London, Paris and Roma. From this Italian city were sent to the Portuguese court, besides the artistic objects, a diversity of history, religious, civil, law, geography and artistic books. The Mafra's Royal Convent and Palace Library was one of that Royals Libraries that was enriched by King John V patronage. After analyzing the library's collection, we found books about Rome that were bought and pressed or not in that city, and that demonstrated the interest by the roman history, society, culture and art. The aim of this paper is to give to public knowledge the allure for Rome through the study of Mafra's books collection emphasing in particular the presence of art and architectural treatises that contributed to the circulation of artistic knowledge.