Marquis Scipione Maffei

Marquis Francesco Scipione Maffei, whose statue today stands between Piazza dei Signori and the Barbaro vault, was born in Verona in 1675 to a noble family.

After completing his studies in the Jesuit colleges of Parma and Roma, he became an officer in the Bavarian army before focussing on writing. He published essays on a number of subjects, including politics, science, history and the theatre. His most famous writing on theatre was his Discorso Intorno al Teatro Italiano, in which he set out the need to revive the tragedy in Italy which, according to him, should have a moral purpose, as well as being easy to read and interpret. His political outlook, which was shaped by his journeys as a young man, visiting the major European capitals of the era, could be summed up as a sort of enlightened Catholicism and he became a major reference point for contemporary Italian intellectuals and the reformist governors.

A noble man of free, frank, unbiased and original criticism. (Giacomo Leopardi in Zibaldone)

A leading figure in 18th century Verona, Maffei contributed to the discovery of important manuscripts in Verona’s Capitolare library, including the Codice Palinsesto, containing the Institutes of Gaius, a legal textbook and other Latin parchments, parts of which were later published in Istoria Teologica. Dating from 1732, it is his portrait of Verona, a monumental work, dedicated to the history, writers and monuments of our city.

Close to Piazza Bra, the Museo Lapidario Maffeiano, is still open to visitors today. Founded in 1714, it was the first museum of its kind in Europe, at a time when artistic and historic artefacts were restricted to private collections. The museum, which still bears his name, was restructured by Maffei between 1744 and 1749.

His contribution to science cannot be forgotten either: the marquis is credited as being the first person, in contrast to what was commonly thought at the time, to note that the lightning bolts that we see actually travel from the ground to the clouds. His important contribution as a patron of science can be seen in his Lettera di un Matematico Italiano sent to Gaetano Marzagaglia.

Scipione Maffei is without doubt one of the historic figures who, through their passion for the arts and culture, have contributed to the grandeur and prestige of our wonderful city.