Casanova: Venice’s most misunderstood iconic figure

When the name Giacomo Casanova comes up, most people picture a handsome libertine intent on seducing women. While his reputation as a lover is undeniable, focusing solely on his romantic endeavours fails to capture the depth of his character. Casanova was a complex figure: a Venetian by birth, a prolific writer, and a restless wanderer who sought fortune, fame, and connection across Europe. On the occasion of his 300th birthday, it’s time to dig deeper into his fascinating life and legacy.


A Venetian childhood with a forced move to Padua

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born on April 2, 1725, in Venice. His parents, Gaetano Casanova and Zanetta Farussi, were both actors. He was baptized in the San Samuele church and grew up in the area around Calle Malipiero.

From a young age, Casanova had to face several challenges. His mother was often away on tours across Europe, so his grandmother looked after him. His father died when he was only eight, and at nine, he was sent to boarding school in Padua. This separation from his parents left him feeling abandoned and neglected.

Casanova showed exceptional intellectual promise. He enrolled at the University of Padua at the age of 12, where he graduated at the age of 17 with a degree in law. However, his interests were far-reaching, including philosophy, mathematics, and classical literature. His early education laid the foundation for his lifelong curiosity and adaptability.


Return to Venice: Ambition and scandal

Casanova’s adult years in Venice were a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After completing his studies, he moved from one job to another, including cleric, soldier, and violinist, but none held his attention for long. Instead, he found his true talent in navigating Venice’s tangled social web. He charmed his way into the elite circles, gaining access to intellectuals, nobles, and wealthy patrons. The city’s vibrant culture, intellectual salons, and cosmopolitan nature shaped the young Casanova.

However, Casanova’s tendency for breaking rules soon caught up with him. In 1755, he was arrested by the Venetian Inquisition on charges of blasphemy, fraud, and public controversy. After 15 months of imprisonment, his subsequent escape from the prison at Palazzo Ducale (see also ‘A walk from Riva degli Schiavoni to Sant’Elena with Arianna’) is legendary. Using a metal spike to dig through the wooden ceiling, he and Father Balbi – also a prisoner – climbed onto the roof of Palazzo Ducale. As it was too high to jump into the canal, they made their way back into the palazzo, changed clothes and exited through the main door claiming they were stuck in the building after an event the night before. Disguising himself and using forged documents, he fled to France, where his resourcefulness and charisma allowed him to reinvent himself once again. Despite returning to Venice years later, his reputation and conflicts with the authorities kept his relationship with the city tense.


Casanova, the restless traveler

If Venice shaped Casanova’s early years, it was the rest of Europe that defined his adulthood. Exile from Venice forced him into a nomadic life, and he spent the majority of his life traveling. He visited cities such as Paris, Lyon, Vienna, Cologne, London, Saint Petersburg, and Constantinople, among many others. His travels were not just for pleasure. They were often driven by necessity, whether from running out of money or being on the run from justice. To sustain his lifestyle, Casanova often lived beyond his means, relying on the generosity of patrons, the proceeds of his gambling, and occasional schemes.

His adaptability was key to his survival. Casanova frequently reinvented himself, taking on roles such as diplomat, spy, and even alchemist. His encounters with historical figures like Voltaire, Catherine the Great, Pope Clement XIII and Madame de Pompadour show his ability to move in elite circles despite his precarious finances. He was also deeply curious about the cultures he encountered, often learning new languages and immersing himself in local customs.


Casanova, the writer

While Casanova’s exploits often overshadow his intellect, his contributions as a writer deserve attention. His most famous work, ‘Histoire de ma vie’ (Story of My Life), offers an unparalleled window into 18th-century European society. Written in French between 1789 and 1798, the autobiography counted more than 1 million words and 12 volumes. It spans his life and travels, chronicling his encounters with royalty, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens. It’s more than a mere recounting of adventures. It’s a detailed reflection of the era’s cultural, political, and social landscape.  

Casanova chose to write in French, the lingua franca of European elites, as it was more widely understood than his native Italian. He began writing on his doctor’s advice, hoping it would help him avoid melancholia. Casanova is believed to have deliberately ended the memoir at age 49, as he felt the years that followed no longer held the joy and excitement worth recounting.

The memoir remained unpublished during his lifetime. The original manuscript was rediscovered in the 19th century and first published in a censored version in 1822. It was placed on the Vatican’s Index of Prohibited Books and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France hid it in a special cupboard called ‘L’Enfer’ (the hell). It wasn’t until 1960 that a complete edition became available. In 2010, the French government acquired the manuscript for more than 9 million euros, recognizing it as a cultural treasure. Today, it is preserved in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and is freely accessible online, allowing readers worldwide to explore Casanova’s candid and colourful prose.

Beyond his autobiography, Casanova also wrote plays, satirical works, and philosophical essays. Among these was his translation of the Iliad into Italian and a critical examination of the cabala. Despite his literary output, he struggled to achieve financial success and often depended on patrons to sustain his work.


Casanova, the intellectual

Casanova’s intellectual pursuits were as diverse as his personal adventures. His education at the University of Padua gave him a background in law, but his interests were much broader. He was an eager reader, studying works of philosophy, mathematics, history, and natural sciences. His writings reveal a keen analytical mind, particularly in his essays on religion and human behaviour.

Casanova’s fascination with the Enlightenment ideals of reason and progress is evident throughout his life. He maintained friendships with some of the greatest thinkers of his time, including Voltaire and Benjamin Franklin. His correspondence with these figures reveals a mutual respect for each other’s intellect, even if Casanova’s reputation as a libertine sometimes overshadowed his philosophical depth.

One of Casanova’s more intriguing intellectual endeavours was his exploration of the cabala and alchemy. These fields straddled the line between science and mysticism in the 18th century. While some of his experiments were undoubtedly aimed at securing patronage from wealthy sponsors, they also reflect his genuine curiosity about the nature of the universe and humanity’s place within it. However, his intellectual pursuits were often intertwined with deception. For instance, he duped many socialites with his occultism, using his excellent memory to give the impression that he possessed a sorcerer’s power of numerology.


Women in Casanova’s life

It’s impossible to discuss Casanova without addressing his relationships with women. While he is often reduced to a caricature of a womanizer, his interactions with women were far more nuanced. Casanova’s memoirs reveal genuine admiration and respect for his lovers. He valued intelligence and wit, often forming lasting friendships with the women he pursued.

However, it’s also clear that Casanova’s relationships were transactional at times, driven by his need for financial support or social advancement. He had more than 120 affairs with all types of women, from aristocrats to actresses and courtesans. One notable relationship was with Henriette, a mysterious noblewoman who left a profound mark on him and whom he described as the one true love of his life.

Casanova de Seingalt – wood engraving executed by Émile de Ruaz after the drawing by Diogène Maillart


A legacy beyond stereotypes

Casanova’s life ended in relative obscurity. He spent his final years as a librarian for Count Waldstein in Bohemia, far from the glittering salons and the tranquil canals of Venice. He passed away on June 4, 1798, at the age of 73. Despite the quiet end to his life, his legacy endures.

In 2025, Venice will celebrate Casanova’s 300th birthday with a series of events, including a Carnevale theme inspired by his life (more info in ‘The insider’s guide to Carnevale di Venezia 2025’) and a conference and an exhibition by Fondazione Giorgio Cini to re-examen the figure of Casanova in the socio-historical context of the 18th century (see also ’17 reasons to visit Venice in 2025’). These events offer an opportunity to view Casanova not just as a libertine but as a multifaceted figure who embodied the spirit of his age. By looking beyond the clichés, we can appreciate Casanova as a writer, intellectual, and traveler who captured the complexity of his time.

If you are intrigued to know more about Casanova, there are plenty of books to choose from. I recommend to read ‘The Complete Memoirs of Casanova’, ‘Adventurer: The Life and Times of Giacomo Casanova’, or ‘Casanova’s Venice: A Walking Guide’. If you prefer to listen to his life story, check out the new podcast series dedicated to Casanova by History of Venice Podcast.

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