Pittoni and Casanova’s Eighteenth Century at the Royal Palace

From May 20 to August 15, 2025, the Royal Palace of Naples pays tribute to the 300th anniversary of Giacomo Casanova’s birth by hosting an elegant exhibition in the Queen’s Alcove, within the State Apartment.

At the heart of the exhibition are three works by Venetian painter Giambattista Pittoni (1687–1767) – depicting Apollo, Venus, and Diana – which evoke the sensual and libertine atmosphere of the 18th century, perfectly in tune with the passionate and intellectually vibrant life of Casanova.

Alongside these paintings, the exhibition also features rare materials and historical documents from the archive of Casanova scholar Aldo Ravà, preserved at the Museo Correr Library in Venice and the Vittorio Emanuele National Library in Naples.

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (Venice, 1725 – Duchcov, 1798) was a complex and fascinating figure: a writer, diplomat, scientist, and esoteric thinker, but above all remembered for his many amorous adventures. Naples was one of the many cities he visited—staying there at least three times—and it later became a center for Casanova studies, thanks to the work of renowned intellectuals such as Benedetto Croce and Salvatore Di Giacomo.

The exhibition is curated by the Royal Palace of Naples, in collaboration with art historian Gianluca Donati, the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, and coordinated by Donatella Dentice D’Accadia. The exhibition design and concept were entirely developed by the Royal Palace.

The exhibition is accessible with the Campania>artecard pass.