The digitization of the Alinari and Brogi glass plate and film negative collection has begun at the Art Defender security depot in Calenzano, Florence.
The project, supported by the Tuscany Region and included in the National Digitalization Plan, will see the digitization of 90,000 glass plates and films from the Alinari and Brogi historical photographic collections, as well as 24 Alinari historical registers.

Among the materials to be digitized is a treasure of inestimable historical value: 170 extra-large collodion and gelatin glass plates, created at the end of the 19th century. This is exceptional material due to its size: some plates reach 120 centimeters in height or length, constituting a unique heritage in the world.

"We are starting a huge project: we will digitize about 90,000 plates from the historical and oldest collection of Alinari. And that means making available things that no one has seen for decades, some for over a century, an extraordinary transition.”
Giorgio van Straten, president of the Fondazione Alinari.

The digitization will be completed by December 31, 2025.

Video produced by Cultura.toscana.it in collaboration with Net7 srl. Filming and editing by Melissa Martelli.