Prospero: the new digital catalogue of Brescia Civic Museums

Prospero: an open digital catalogue for the Brescia Civic Museums

Fondazione Brescia Musei, together with the Municipality of Brescia, has launched Prospero, a new online portal that makes the civic collections' records publicly accessible. The project converts a database developed since the 1990s into a user-facing catalogue, allowing consultation of works not normally on display and providing scientifically validated information from curators.

What is already online

• About 1,100 records available in the "Collections" section of the Foundation's website;
• All works on display in the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo;
• The complete Romolo Romani collection and 130 drawings by Angelo Inganni;
• Approximately 770 previously unpublished works now accessible through the digital catalogue.

Goals and development plan

Prospero is designed as an open, progressive project: the aim is to digitize the entire civic collection, estimated at around 90,000 objects. The initial four-year phase focused on building the database; over the next two years the work will continue with the inclusion of archaeological materials, the armoury, prints, photography and numismatics.

Community involvement and funding

The project received support from Fondazione Comunità Bresciana and local partners. The Foundation has activated a dedicated Art Bonus for Prospero, enabling citizens, companies and patrons to support the platform's development and benefit from a tax credit equal to 65% of the donation.

Why it matters

• Improves accessibility and enjoyment of the city's cultural heritage, including items in storage;
• Strengthens scientific management of collections through curator-validated records;
• Provides an updatable resource useful for research, education and digital promotion.

Prospero marks an important step in the digital enhancement of Brescia's museum collections, opening new opportunities for public access and professional use.