The Family

The Miniscalchi family arrived in Verona, from the territory of Bergamo, during the years of the Visconti domination of the city (1387-1404). In 1409 Zaninus Mereschalchus, founder of the Veronese branch, obtained Veronese citizenship. Originally farriers, as suggested by the coat of arms depicting a burning bush surrounded by ivy, they arrived in Verona to seek their fortune. Within a generation, they acquired much land and achieved both social and political status. In 1425 they obtained the frieze of nobility and became part of the "Noble Council". The Miniscalchi established their residence in the current Via San Mammaso, where they built their noble palace that now is the seat of the Museum.

In 1896 Marc'Antonio Miniscalchi (grandson of Luigi Miniscalchi and Marianna Erizzo) obtained from the Consulta Araldica of the Kingdom of Italy consent to join surnames and coats of arms of the Miniscalchi and Erizzo families: the burning bush joins the golden band on a blue background with the stylized representation of a hedgehog and the letter "E", as depicted in the painting.