The collection counts more than a hundred works that document research on image formation before the birth of cinema: studies on light and movement, on optical experiments, on shadow theatres and optical boxes.
The collection includes a number of rare texts published between the 16th and the 17th century, among which "La pratica della prospettiva" by Daniel Barbaro, "Raccolta di machine ed instrumenti d'ottica" by Biagio Burlini, "La Perspective Curieuse" by Niceron and other works by Della Porta, Kircher, Nollet.