Foundation
The "Centro Studi sull'Arte Licia e Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti" Association was founded in 1981 with the Ragghianti's donation of their library , photographic collection and archive to the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca.
According to the donor's wishes the primary aim of the Foundation is "to offer to the town and to the northwestern area of Tuscany, as well as to all interested persons, an instrument for studying the art of the past and of the present".
In 1992 the Foundation acquired the library, photographic collection and archive given by Pier Carlo Santini, its previous Scientific Director. Additions to the library and photographic collections and gifts from artists are constantly increasing the Foundation's holdings.
Afterwards, from 1995 to 1998, Giovanni Fanelli was the General Director. The library, comprising donation from C. L. and L. Ragghianti, P.C. Santini, A. Geri, S.Coppola, G. Bertolli, D.Sella, R.Carrieri and M. Tobino, contains over 52,000 volumes and collections of over 800 periodical titles.
The Foundation possesses, in addition to the Ragghianti archive, those of P.C.Santini, S. Coppola, L.Guerrini, I. Cardellini.
The photographic collection at present contains about 200.000 images. The Foundation collects more than 40.000 pamphlets, brochures, and art's catalogues. Moreover the Foundation keeps a rich collection of paintings, drawings, graphics and overall sculptures that are exposed in the Foundation's premises.
The Foundation publishes the periodical magazine "Luk".
The Foundation is situated in the historic building of San Micheletto.