[hopos-g] International Workshop on Paul of Middelburg in Urbino (Italy)
'Macchia, Giovanni' via hopos-g@vt.edu
Calendars, Prognostications,
and Mathematics in
Paul of Middelburg (1445?-1534)
International Workshop
May 7th-8th, 2026
Urbino
***
Paul of Middelburg (1445?-1534) is notably cited by Copernicus – both as bishop of Fossombrone and as an astronomer – when dedicating De revolutionibus orbium coelestium to Pope Paul III. This workshop offers the first systematic exploration of Paul’s scientific profile: his mathematical and astronomical work, his activity as astrologer and physician at the court of Federico da Montefeltro in Urbino, and his role in late-fifteenth and early-sixteenth-century debates where astronomy and astrology were closely intertwined. Paul vigorously advocated a calendar reform, promoted the study of algebra and mechanics, and produced a substantial corpus of prognostications. By tracing how he connected calculation, observation, and predictive practices, the workshop reconstructs a coherent “science of time” and situates it within the scholarly networks that linked the Duchy of Urbino with the Low Countries, bridging northern and southern Renaissance Europe and placing scientific expertise at the heart of contemporary political life.
***
May 7th, 2026
Sala della Tartaruga, Palazzo Passionei, via Valerio 9
Welcome address and greetings
9.00-9.15 | Chair Flavia Marcacci (University of Urbino).
Giorgio Calcagnini, Magnific Rector, University of Urbino.
Giovanni Piersanti, Vice Rector for Research, University of Urbino.
Andrea Vicerè, Head of Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino.
Laerte Sorini, Director of International Center Urbino e la Prospettiva.
Session: Calendars, Prognostications, Astronomy.
9.15-10.00
Philipp Nothaft (University of Oxford), Paul of Middelburg, Chronologer.
10.00-10.45
Stephan Heilen (University of Osnabrück), A Prognosticum by Paul of Middelburg.
10.45-11.00 | Discussion.
11.00-11.30 | Coffee break.
Session: Paul, a man of many faces.
Chair Veronica Gavagna (University of Florence)
11.30-12.15
Elio Nenci (University of Milan), The Life of Paul of Middelburg, written by Bernardino Baldi.
12.15-12.30
Anneke Pohle (University of Osnabrück, M.D.), Paul of Middelburg’s De numero atomorum totius universi.
12.30-12.45
Giovanni Gaia (University of Urbino, Ph.D.), Paul of Middelburg in Guidobaldo del Monte.
12.45 | Lunch
Session: Mathematics, Astronomy, Scientific Instruments.
Chair Gian Italo Bischi (University of Urbino).
15.00-15.45
Vico Montebelli (University of Urbino), Paul of Middelburg, an algebraist at the court of Federico da Montefeltro.
15.45-16.15
Veronica Gavagna (University of Florence), Algebra in Paul of Middelburg and his context.
16.15-16.45
Flavia Marcacci (University of Urbino), After the Paulina: Paul of Middelburg’s Proposals for Calendar Reform and his Views on Astronomy.
16.45-17.15
Giancarlo Truffa (SISFA), Paul of Middelburg and the instruments of an astrologer.
Public event: Opening Cerimony
h. 18.00-19.30, Chiesa di San Girolamo at the San Girolamo Library
Tempo misurato e previsioni celest.
Scienza, calendari e strumenti al tempo di Paolo di Middelburg.
Mostra documentaria del Fondo Antico dell’Università di Urbino
Saluti introduttivi.
Giorgio Calcagnini, Rettore Magnifico Università di Urbino.
Vieri Fusi, Prorettore per la Valorizzazione e Sviluppo del Patrimonio.
Fabio Musso, Prorettore per la Terza Missione e Public Engagement.
Anna Santucci, Delegata Rettorale alla Valorizzazione del Patrimonio Museale di Ateneo.
Interventi di: Marcella Peruzzi (Un. Urbino) e Flavia Marcacci (Un. Urbino).
20.00 | Social dinner.
May 8th, 2026
Sala della Tartaruga, Palazzo Passionei, via Valerio 9
Welcome and Twinning session
Chair Flavia Marcacci (University of Urbino)
9.15-9.30 | Greetings and Opening remarks.
Francesco Amadori (Head of the Culture and Tourism Office, Municipality of Fossombrone).
9.30-10.00
Henk de Kunder (Heritage Policy Officer, Municipality of Middelburg), Paul of Middelburg: connection between the Gregorian calendar and the Low Countries.
Session: Paul of Middelburg and the Court of Urbino.
Chair Elio Nenci (University of Milan)
10.00-10.30
Oscar Mei (University of Urbino), Paul of Middelburg and his Collection of Antiquities.
10.30-11.00
Davide Pietrini (University of Urbino), Mechanics at the court of the Montefeltro: three questions by Paul of Middelburg.
11.00 | Coffee break
11.30-12.00
Sara Taglialagamba (COST Program, University of
Urbino), Paul of Middelburg, Marsilio Ficino, Leonardo da Vinci.
Conclusive remarks
Chair Stephan Heilen, Flavia Marcacci
12.00-12.30 | Discussion.
12.30 | Farewell address.
12.30 | Lunch.
15.00 | Visit to Dukal Palace and Raphael’s House.
Info: flavia....@uniurb.it; davide....@uniurb.it; g.g...@campus.uniurb.it
Link Zoom: https://uniurb-it.zoom.us/j/83257119425?pwd=BZ7aQbOeJ0sbfQRZ4QhVO347UMhliP.1
Scientific and Organizing Commettee: Gian Italo Bischi, Vincenzo Fano, Giovanni Gaia, Veronica Gavagna, Pierluigi Graziani, Stephan Heilen, Giovanni Macchia, Flavia Marcacci, Vico Montebelli, Elio Nenci, Davide Pietrini, Ciro Saltarelli, Sara Taglialagamba.
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