Document’s truth: problems regarding to documental sources for the scientific research of Giovanni Battista Crescenzi’s artistic activity.

• Main Author: Gloria del Val Moreno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Complutense de Madrid 2012-01-01
• Series: Anales de Historia del Arte
• Subjects: giovanni battista crescenzi; fuentes documentales; paulo v; soprintendente.
• Online Access: http://revistasculturales.ucm.es/index.php/ANHA/article/view/37451

Documental sources are usually an imprescindible issue for establishing the bases and main conclusions of whatever scientific research. However, a document could turn into a double-edged sword if it was isolated of his natural context, creating a biased interpretation of its contents. It would be advisable for the perfect development of a research to increase our knowledge about how administration and bureaucracy works, in order not to misunderstood the proccess and agents which are involved in. This article wants to be a reflection about the validity of the documental sources in the scientific research, taking into account the particular circumstances of the roman noble Giovanni Battista Crescenzi (Roma, 1577 - Madrid, 1635), and the dichotomy which seems to exist between documental and literary sources regarding to the professional and artistic profile of Crescenzi’s activity between the Rome of Pope Paul V and the Spanish Court of Philip III and Philip IV.