Italy at Columbia

From Da Ponte to the Casa Italiana

Italy at Columbia is a digital exhibition that explores the history of Italian studies at Columbia University: the earliest teachers of the language and culture, the students who campaigned for a cultural center, and the neo-Renaissance palazzo that arose on Amsterdam Avenue across from campus—a living monument to the robust Italian presence at Columbia across the centuries. 

See the history: 1800s and 1900s

Photo of the palazzo, the center of Italian Studies at Columbia University
Photograph, Historical Photograph Collection (1855–2012), Columbia University in the City of New York
Introduction
Portait of Lorenzo Da Ponte, an original founder of Italian studies at Columbia.
Portrait of Lorenzo Da Ponte (1749–1838), early 19th century, oil on canvas, 48 x 35 5/8 in. (122 x 90.3 cm), Avery (C00.37).
The Founders
Historical photograph of Italian Studies students.
Marie Read Smith papers, 1934–1938, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University.
Early Years
Photograph of the placing of the cornerstone for the Casa Italiana building at Columbia University.
Photograph, Historical Photograph Collection (1855–2012), Columbia University in the City of New York
Building Casa Italiana
Casa Italiana's Teatra (auditorium) opens to the public.
Photograph, Historical Photograph Collection (1855–2012), Columbia University in the City of New York
Opening Casa Italiana
Photograph of Paterno Library, south wall.
Photograph, Historical Photograph Collection (1855–2012), Columbia University in the City of New York
The Library
Giuseppe Prezzolini and Casa Italiana during the war years
Photograph, Historical Photograph Collection (1855–2012), Columbia University in the City of New York
Mid-Century
The Next Chapters for Italian studies and culture at Columbia University
The Next Chapters

Explore More

Cover and interior pages of the companion book about the history of Italian studies at Columbia University
Photograph: Abigail Asher
Companion Book from Columbia University Press

From Da Ponte to the Casa Italiana: A Brief History of Italian Studies at Columbia University by Barbara Faedda (2017) explores the range of people who brought Italian culture to Columbia. 

Gallery of the exhibition held in the Casa Italiana's main gallery
Photograph: Bruce Gilbert
Companion Exhibition in the Building

For the 90th anniversary, photos, paintings, rare books, and original documents were on display in the lobby galleries of the Casa Italiana. That exhibition closed in 2018—but it lives on in this digital exhibition.