Francesco Paolo Martinelli, a man of great learning and also a politician and legislator, lover of the fine arts and above all of sculpture, built the Museum of Villa Meo Evoli in 1837 "to ensure that that the fine arts did not degenerate into extravagance, buffoonery and playthings; and, to this end, to imbue the whole country with good taste". By setting up his collection in the heart of the countryside of Monopoli he put into practice the idea that the arts should also be brought to "the peasants' huts", since "a peasant who learns how to live with taste will become a better farmer". Francesco Paolo Martinelli opened his collection to all those, scholars or lay persons, who wished to deepen their knowledge and enjoy the sight of those works, and he placed on the façade of the Museum a plaque with this inscription: