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Behind the Curtains of Diplomacy The Household, Material Culture and Networks of French Ambassadors in Venice (1550-1610) Laura Mesotten Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of History and Civilization of the European University Institute Florence, 12 January 2017 European University Institute Department of History and Civilization Behind the Curtains of Diplomacy The Household, Material Culture and Networks of French Ambassadors in Venice (1550-1610) Laura Mesotten Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of History and Civilization of the European University Institute Examining Board Prof. Luca Molˆ, European University Institute Prof. Jorge Flores, European University Institute Prof. Catherine Fletcher, Swansea University Prof. Evelyn Welch, KingÕs College London © Laura Mesotten, 2017 No part of this thesis may be copied, reproduced or transmitted without prior permission of the author A BSTRACT This dissertation examines the social and material surroundings of French ambassadors stationed in the Venetian Republic between 1550 and 1610. Centred around the activities and experiences of Ambassador Fran•ois de Noailles (1557-1561), three important facets of the diplomatic reality abroad are scrutinised. Part I sets out the characteristics of the ambassadorÕs court through an investigation of the architectural, social and domestic features of the diplomatic house. In so doing, it will shed light on some of the realities behind the political world of diplomacy and reveal social complexities. Part II opens an illuminating window to the ambassadorÕs possessions and discloses the great importance of material culture for the performance of diplomacy. By exposing the furnishings and clothing purchased and displayed by the ambassador, the use of objects to assert diplomatic identity will be unravelled. Part III again takes material culture as the point of departure, as it studies the movement of goods through the brokerage and patronage networks constructed by ambassadors while on mission. Whereas diplomatic service had benefits, it also had disadvantages, most importantly, the physical absence from the centre of power. Both the delivering of procured goods and the offering of unsolicited gifts were used to sustain ties with influential people at the French court in order to pursue private and family interests. Throughout the entire study, all these diplomatic activities are strongly contextualised and linked with the specificity of Venice as a trading metropolis, situated between West and East and ruled by a republican government. By looking behind the curtains of diplomacy, this dissertation contributes to the field of the new diplomatic history especially by its extensive focus on material culture. Objects had an important communicative power as they conveyed political messages and, this way, were essential for the functioning of early modern diplomacy. i T ABLE OF C ONTENTS Acknowledgements v Abbreviations for Archival References vi Preliminary Notes vii Introduction 1 The New Diplomatic History 2 Fashioning the Self: Private Identity and Public Representation 4 Chronological and Geographical Focus of the Study 7 The Profile of an Ambassador: Introducing the French Ambassadors in Venice 10 A Note on Sources 18 Chapter Outline 22 Chapter 1. Rituals of Diplomacy in the Venetian Republic 25 Pageantry and Politics in Diplomatic Receptions 27 Ceremonial Entries as Political Theatres: The Power of Space and Pomp 28 Diplomatic Audiences: Actors, Setting and Ornamentation 35 Promoting the City 43 Politics of the Gift 46 Food and Banquets 47 Gold Chains 58 Objects and Textiles 61 Exequies of an Ambassador 65 The Ritual Management of Funeral Ceremonies 67 The Adornment and Costs of Commemoration 73 PART I. THE AMBASSADORÕS COURT 81 Chapter 2. The Ambassador and His Residence 87 The Architecture of Diplomacy 89 The Network of Embassy Buildings in Venice 90 French Diplomatic Lodgings 96 The Weight of Politics on the Allocation of Housing 104 ii The House as Socio-Political Arena 109 Sociability and Hospitality 110 Domestic Rituals as Political Instruments: France versus Spain 115 The Diplomatic Table 119 Food and Diplomacy 120 Ambassadorial Plate 125 Chapter 3. The Diplomatic Family 131 Composition of the AmbassadorÕs Court 133 Finding the Appropriate Size: Splendour versus Extravagance 133 Household Members 136 Versatile Actors of Diplomacy 149 Household Management 157 The Ambassador as Pater Familias 157 Misdemeanours of Domestics 160 PART II. CONSUMING LUXURY, DISPLAYING SPLENDOUR 165 Chapter 4. Inside the AmbassadorÕs House: Luxury and Power 171 Reconstructing the Interior of Fran•ois de NoaillesÕ Venetian Residence 174 The Inventory of Fran•ois de Noailles (1561) 174 The Venetian Domestic Interior 176 The EmbassyÕs Interior Design and the Display of Objects 180 Spaces of Representation: The Portego and Bedchamber 181 Persian Carpets 190 Heterogeneous Styles 196 Comparison: The Inventory of Jean Cavenac de la VigneÕs Residence in Constantinople (1559) 198 Furnishings as Political Tools 201 The Costs of Pomp 202 Strategies of Material Politics 204 Ambassadors in the Marketplace 208 The Wealth of the Serenissima 208 Shopping for Luxury Goods 210
