Casanova and the Duke of Matalone look at erotic art with Leonilde

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Casanova with Leonilde and the Duke of Matalone looking at erotic art (detail, Rijksmuseum)
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Zanetta Farussi, known as 'la Buranella', was a talented theatre actress, married to Gaetano Casanova and mother of Giacomo. Born in Venice, she acted in Europe, from London to Dresden, where she was engaged for life. Outspoken and self-determined, she was praised by Goldoni and also wrote comedies.

Zanetta Farussi was actually called Maria Giovanna Farussi or Farusso; however, she was nicknamed la Buranela. She was beautiful, talented, but also frivolous and selfish. She was married, but had numerous lovers, friends and protectors. A theatre actress, she walked the stages of theatres in numerous countries, from Venice to London, from St. Petersburg to Dresden.Zanetta was of very modest origins and her father was a shoemaker. She was born in the sestiere of Santa Croce and not in Burano, as her nickname, the Buranella, long led one to believe. At the age of sixteen, she married Gaetano Ca

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