Miniscalchi-Erizzo Library

You are now in the last room of your visit. This library was set up in this room in the second half of the 19th century when the room was renovated, decorated and prepared to keep family books. This historical library includes about 3000 general volumes, such as the 1770 Livorno edition of the Encyclopédie by Diderot and D'Alambert , with a prevalence of Italian, Latin and Greek classics. Works of history and geography, can be traced back to the scientific interests of Francesco Miniscalchi-Erizzo, to whom are also assigned the numerous texts of oriental languages, of which he was a student and which represent the most original and organic sector of the library.

The series of large majolica vases, placed on top of the cabinets comes from Villa Pullè in Chievo (VR). Made by workshops in Pesaro in the second half of the 19th century, they are richly decorated with elements applied to relief (human and animal busts, sphinxes and snakes), imitating Renaissance productions.

Marianna Erizzo’s portrait
This painting depicts Marianna Erizzo, the last descendant of the illustrious and powerful Venetian family, wife of Luigi Miniscalchi.
Behind her you can see the portrait of her daughter, who died prematurely, that was painted by Marianna herself.
She wanted to give her an eternal life through art.