"Museums are not made
to be visited,
but to be
felt and lived "
Alessandro Manzoni
Living Museum delle Arti Grafiche
The premises of Tipografia Grifani Donati 1799 have always been characterized by the multidisciplinarity, experiences, dynamism and encounters of many people who have worked, visited or simply lived in these spaces.
Therefore, in addition to the artisan and artistic production, the Typography has always hosted exhibitions and organized events, becoming a reference point for artists and visitors. In 2004, thanks to the careful work of Giovanni Ottaviani, his wife Adriana and his friend Roberto Lensi, the Grifani Donati 1799 Printing House was recognized by the Umbria Region as “of considerable interest for public use” thus becoming a living Museum of Graphic Arts.
This ancient building thus officially acquires a new artistic and cultural dimension that coexists with craftsmanship and production. The one-of-a-kind living museum houses machines that are still functioning, preserves the historical memory, still practices the art of ancient printing techniques and adapts and opens up to the contemporary. In 2014, the CHARACTERS DAL 1799 ODV Association was founded, which manages and coordinates all the museum’s activities from exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops for artists and enthusiasts and workshops for children.
Therefore, in addition to the artisan and artistic production, the Typography has always hosted exhibitions and organized events, becoming a reference point for artists and visitors. In 2004, thanks to the careful work of Giovanni Ottaviani, his wife Adriana and his friend Roberto Lensi, the Grifani Donati 1799 Printing House was recognized by the Umbria Region as “of considerable interest for public use” thus becoming a living Museum of Graphic Arts.
This ancient building thus officially acquires a new artistic and cultural dimension that coexists with craftsmanship and production. The one-of-a-kind living museum houses machines that are still functioning, preserves the historical memory, still practices the art of ancient printing techniques and adapts and opens up to the contemporary. In 2014, the CHARACTERS DAL 1799 ODV Association was founded, which manages and coordinates all the museum’s activities from exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops for artists and enthusiasts and workshops for children.
The premises of Tipografia Grifani Donati 1799 have always been characterized by the multidisciplinarity, experiences, dynamism and encounters of many people who have worked, visited or simply lived in these spaces.
Therefore, in addition to the artisan and artistic production, the Typography has always hosted exhibitions and organized events, becoming a reference point for artists and visitors. In 2004, thanks to the careful work of Giovanni Ottaviani, his wife Adriana and his friend Roberto Lensi, the Grifani Donati 1799 Printing House was recognized by the Umbria Region as “of considerable interest for public use” thus becoming a living Museum of Graphic Arts.
This ancient building thus officially acquires a new artistic and cultural dimension that coexists with craftsmanship and production. The one-of-a-kind living museum houses machines that are still functioning, preserves the historical memory, still practices the art of ancient printing techniques and adapts and opens up to the contemporary. In 2014, the CHARACTERS DAL 1799 ODV Association was founded, which manages and coordinates all the museum’s activities from exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops for artists and enthusiasts and workshops for children.
The machinery
In our museum-atelier the equipment on display are all fully functional and used: from the Elia Dell’Orto 1864 printing press, to the 1903 Platina Tiegeldruk, to the 1880 Bollito & Torchio star press, to the Paolini 1960 copper engraving press, to the Kruse lithographic press. 1906, to the PianocilindricaWerk Augsburg 1910 printing machine; essential tools, the characters in alloy, wood and copper (over 536 cases, wonderful wooden containers with a charm only their own) and cliché friezes, woodcuts and galvanotypes, all original.
