Devotion, Paintings, and the House: The Collections of Ercole and Giuseppe Branciforti, Princes of Scordia (Palermo, 1687–1720)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Interesting piece of research. Straight-out methodology. Good presentation of the topic. The only think I wish to remark is the lack of references to the religious and political context of the period in question and more information about Ercole and Giuseppe Branciforti. Princes of Scordia: what does that mean in this particular historical context? Page 4: The author cites Ludovico Muratori, is there a particular reason for that? Why does the author feel that Muratori's 1747 text is pertinent to their topic? Is there a special reason why the author has decided to discuss The collections of Ercole and Giuseppe Branciforti? Are these two outstanding examples of religious art collectors in this particular spatio-temporal context? Do they mark a transition in taste, politics, power etc.

Author Response

Interesting piece of research. Straight-out methodology. Good presentation of the topic. The only think I wish to remark is the lack of references to the religious and political context of the period in question and more information about Ercole and Giuseppe Branciforti. Princes of Scordia: what does that mean in this particular historical context?

Response: I was tempted to write a kind of introduction to the context, but this time I preferred giving more space to the argument. I hoped that the references in footnotes and the information on the two characters were sufficient

Page 4: The author cites Ludovico Muratori, is there a particular reason for that? Why does the author feel that Muratori's 1747 text is pertinent to their topic?

Response: The use of Muratori’s idea was for a general interpretation of the word devotion. I agree that the passage was quite obscure. I'll try to frame this part better clarifying the relationship between the author and the city in the footnote.

Is there a special reason why the author has decided to discuss The collections of Ercole and Giuseppe Branciforti? Are these two outstanding examples of religious art collectors in this particular spatio-temporal context? Do they mark a transition in taste, politics, power etc.

Response: Amongst Sicilian collections, these cannot be considered outstanding or particularly influential, also because the research is too lacking to assess this. But the aim of the paper is to resist both the search for exceptionality and the generalization of the results. Rather, it aims to investigate the specificities of the selected case study: The collections of the two nobles marked an important period in the ascent of their family and in its establishment in the city, thus allowing me to explore intersections between architecture and issues of devotion, gender, and rank. I should have written it better

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper is very well-researched and well-written, and the focus on a specific household gives the paper a soundness that is much appreciated. The author does note that Sicilian practices have been little studied, and that is true, so this adds important information to the scholarship. At the same time that localization might limit the number of readers (hence my "average" rating), but this paper is certainly worth publishing. 

The use of theoretical writings to support the practices seen in the Branciforti household and other cases is very good, however I was a little confused when Amico's text was introduced, since it is dated much later than the inventories used here.  The author does explain how Amico's text describes longstanding practice, but I would suggest placing similar contextualizing statement before rather than after presenting the information in the text. 

Similarly, given the context of the immediately preceding discussion, I was expecting Muratori to explain why the bedroom is a particularly good place for devotional images (perhaps because meditation on them was encouraged before sleep?), but Muratori's comments seem to me more general--about the importance of using images to focus devotion. Something more specific is needed, and the author points out that many variables come into play beginning in the middle of page 5. I think a framing statement before bringing in Muratori might help position that text as general background rather than specific support for understanding the use of the Branciforti collection. 

When the author turns to the specific works mentioned in the inventory, gender and familial status become important (maybe more than devotional practices). I found this turn very interesting. The contrast between the collections and the ways they were arranged by Ercole and Giuseppe, was also thought-provoking. 

In sum, I found the paper very interesting and would only suggest some adjustments to framing statements and transitions to assist readers. 

Author Response

The paper is very well-researched and well-written, and the focus on a specific household gives the paper a soundness that is much appreciated. The author does note that Sicilian practices have been little studied, and that is true, so this adds important information to the scholarship. At the same time that localization might limit the number of readers (hence my "average" rating), but this paper is certainly worth publishing. 

The use of theoretical writings to support the practices seen in the Branciforti household and other cases is very good, however I was a little confused when Amico's text was introduced, since it is dated much later than the inventories used here.  The author does explain how Amico's text describes longstanding practice, but I would suggest placing similar contextualizing statement before rather than after presenting the information in the text. 

Response: Amico benefitted from direct knowledge of most residences already built in the area between Palermo and Trapani, where he lived and worked. I’ll write it

Similarly, given the context of the immediately preceding discussion, I was expecting Muratori to explain why the bedroom is a particularly good place for devotional images (perhaps because meditation on them was encouraged before sleep?), but Muratori's comments seem to me more general--about the importance of using images to focus devotion. Something more specific is needed, and the author points out that many variables come into play beginning in the middle of page 5. I think a framing statement before bringing in Muratori might help position that text as general background rather than specific support for understanding the use of the Branciforti collection. 

Response: Yes, I agree. Thank you

When the author turns to the specific works mentioned in the inventory, gender and familial status become important (maybe more than devotional practices). I found this turn very interesting. The contrast between the collections and the ways they were arranged by Ercole and Giuseppe, was also thought-provoking. 

In sum, I found the paper very interesting and would only suggest some adjustments to framing statements and transitions to assist readers.

Thank you. It has been very useful 

Reviewer 3 Report

A very good and valuable article, based on a carefully chosen literature and unpublished sources. From a methodological point of view, everything is ok. Not too much of pure theory, a lot of historical facts and a well-proven thesis. Honestly - no need to write a long review in this case.

Author Response

Thank you.