Just 8 weeks ago I was in Venice for the first time ever. It's everything I was led to expect. On the same trip, I stayed in the Villa Valmarana ai Nani in Vicenza. I assume there must be a family connection between that villa and the Palazzo Mangilli Valmarana even if the Valmaranas no longer own the palazzo. Joseph Smith sounds like a fascinating figure and I look forward to learning more about him. He must have known the Abbé de Bernis, an intriguing character who was the French envoy to the Most Serene Republic from 1752 to 1755.
Thanks David! So great to hear your comments - yes, Venice is like nowhere else isn’t it? I have never been to Vicenza but I’m sure you’re right about the Valmarana family. I will look up the Abbé de Bernis; sounds like Smith would have known him, especially once he became Consul. Smith was also a publisher and owned a legendary library of rare books - George III bought it eventually.
Just 8 weeks ago I was in Venice for the first time ever. It's everything I was led to expect. On the same trip, I stayed in the Villa Valmarana ai Nani in Vicenza. I assume there must be a family connection between that villa and the Palazzo Mangilli Valmarana even if the Valmaranas no longer own the palazzo. Joseph Smith sounds like a fascinating figure and I look forward to learning more about him. He must have known the Abbé de Bernis, an intriguing character who was the French envoy to the Most Serene Republic from 1752 to 1755.
Thanks David! So great to hear your comments - yes, Venice is like nowhere else isn’t it? I have never been to Vicenza but I’m sure you’re right about the Valmarana family. I will look up the Abbé de Bernis; sounds like Smith would have known him, especially once he became Consul. Smith was also a publisher and owned a legendary library of rare books - George III bought it eventually.