Procurator Erizzo's portrait

Painted by Alessandro Longhi in 1767, the refined portrait commemorates the proclamation of Nicolò Erizzo as "Procurator of St. Mark" on 22 February 1767. For the Venice Republic, the office of Procurator was the most important after that of the Doge. The Procurator was responsible for managing the finances of the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice: they administered the assets.
Typical of the Procurators is the reddish dress with a crimson stole; Nicolò also wears a gold brocade band with flowers, passing from the right shoulder on the left side: an attribute of the knights of the Order of the Golden Stole of St. Mark. This was an order created by the Venetian Senate to distinguish the patricians from all the other knights decorated with the Order of St. Mark.
Particularly sumptuous is the frame, carved in gold linden wood, decorated with sculptures in the round and then gold leaf. The rich decoration, with leaves, trophies of weapons, flags, military insignia and putti, allegorically represents the many glories of the Erizzo family.