Bust of Marino Grimani
by VITTORIA, Alessandro, Marble
The Grimani were an Italian family of statesmen, ecclesiastics, collectors, and patrons. They had settled in Venice by the 10th century, and their wealth was derived from trade with the eastern Mediterranean; one branch of the family settled on Crete in the early 13th century. The Venetian Grimani emerged as prominent members of the hereditary nobility in the 13th and 14th centuries and advanced their influence through holding offices in the Republic and later in the Church.
Marino Grimani (1532-1605) was the 89th Doge of Venice, reigning from 26 April 1595 until his death.