Latest news with #GiacomoCasanova
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Verrocchio's Equestrian Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni: A Bronze to Die For
When Bartolomeo Colleoni died in 1475, he left a significant portion of his wealth to the Venetian Republic he had ably served as a professional soldier (condottiere). The will included a provision that a bronze equestrian statue of himself be erected in Piazza San Marco. The Venetian Signoria dithered for four years, desiring to accept the rich bequest but hesitant to honor a private individual in the city's most prominent location. Equestrian statues generally were reserved to honor rulers and emperors, the Marcus Aurelius in Rome being the well-known antique exemplar. Given the political potency of such a sculpture, the Venetians understandably were leery of erecting an imperial monument in a city that prided itself on its egalitarian ethos. As one Venetian contemporary complained, we should not be 'imitating the custom of the pagans.' Florence too shied from placing an equestrian statue in Piazza della Signoria until 1594, when Giambologna's Cosimo de' Medici appeared on the square. The Venetians were cleverer. In a brilliant legalistic maneuver, the Signoria finally agreed to accept the terms of Colleoni's bequest: The equestrian statue would be erected—not in Piazza San Marco, but in front of the Scuola di San Marco on Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, an important but politically neutral location that served as a favorite trysting spot of the infamous lover Giacomo Casanova.
Belfast Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Casanova is 300 years old – so why is there still no female equivalent?
This month marks 300 years since the birth of Giacomo Casanova – and the beginning of a reputation so prolific that his name would go on to be defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as 'a man who has had a lot of sexual relationships'. Born in 1725, the Venetian alchemist, church cleric, and scam artist was known for harbouring several vices throughout his life, namely gambling and women. One landed him in prison – cue an infamous jailbreak story – while the other earned him a reputation for being one of the most notorious seducers of all time.
Euronews
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Packed programme of festivities as Venice Carnival enters its last weekend
This year's Venice Carnival has entered its last weekend, with a packed programme of festivities, performances and exhibitions. Carnival is celebrated across Italy, but as every year, Venice is the capital of the annual tradition. This year, the Venetian Carnival honours the era of Giacomo Casanova, the 18th century Italian adventurer, on the 300th anniversary of his birth. The origins of the event date back to 1094 and it was revived in 1979 after an absence of almost two centuries. Today, it is a staple of Venetian culture and draws thousands of visitors every year. The Carnival's opening night drew 20,000 people that gathered in Venice's famous Piazza San Marco. The opening weekend of Carnival in Venice culminated with a water procession along the Grand Canal that finished in front of the Rialto Bridge with a flourish of colourful streamers and confetti, all completely biodegradable. The festival runs until Tuesday, 4 March.
South China Morning Post
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Casanova the centre of 2025 Venice Carnival celebrations launched with masks, boat parade
The opening weekend of Carnival in Venice culminated with a water procession along the Grand Canal that finished in front of the Rialto Bridge with a flourish of colourful streamers and confetti – all completely biodegradable. Advertisement Venice's Carnival brings thousands of people to the lagoon city to watch the water procession, one of the event's highlights, and check out people in elaborate costumes and masks who wander the narrow alleys and gather in St Mark's Square to be photographed. The popular event forces authorities to designate some alleyways as one-way to keep pedestrians moving. This year's Carnival celebrations, which run until March 4, are dedicated to the famed philanderer Giacomo Casanova, who was born in Venice 300 years ago. Casanova is mostly remembered for the descriptions of his many seductions and sexual conquests. Masked Carnival revellers in fancy dress during the water procession to mark the start of festivities. Photo: AFP The giant Pantegana, an inflatable rat, leads a procession of boats on the Grand Canal marking the opening of the 2025 Venetian Carnival, dedicated to the 'Time of Casanova'. Photo: EPA-EFE
South China Morning Post
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
In pictures: 2025 Venice Carnival dedicated to Casanova opens
Published: 1:45pm, 18 Feb 2025 The opening weekend of Carnival in Venice culminated with a water procession along the Grand Canal that finished in front of the Rialto Bridge with a flourish of colourful streamers and confetti – all completely biodegradable. Venice's Carnival brings thousands of people to the lagoon city to watch the water procession, one of the event's highlights, and check out people in elaborate costumes and masks who wander the narrow alleys and gather in St Mark's Square to be photographed. The popular event forces authorities to designate some alleyways as one-way to keep pedestrians moving. This year's Carnival celebrations, which run until March 4, are dedicated to the famed philanderer Giacomo Casanova, who was born in Venice 300 years ago. Casanova is mostly remembered for the descriptions of his many seductions and sexual conquests. Masked Carnival revellers in fancy dress during the water procession to mark the start of festivities. Photo: AFP The giant Pantegana, an inflatable rat, leads a procession of boats on the Grand Canal marking the opening of the 2025 Venetian Carnival, dedicated to the 'Time of Casanova'. Photo: EPA-EFE Revellers in matching costumes row their boat during the masquerade parade on the Grand Canal that marked the opening of this year's Venice Carnival. Photo: Reuters
