Casanova, Memento of a Dream カサノヴァ・夢のかたみ

The first encounter between Casanova and one of the most powerful women of the eighteenth century took place, appropriately enough given their theatrical backgrounds, at the first night of a Lully opera in October 1750. 

In the vibrant Paris of the 18th century, the lights of the Opera stage sparkled like stars fallen to earth. Giacomo Casanova, draped in elegance and mystery, occupied a box near that of Madame de Pompadour, the embodiment of French refinement and influence. The curious eyes of the audience settled on him, the enigmatic Venetian. "Where do you come from, monsieur?" an intrigued voice inquired, drawn by Casanova's magnetic aura. "From the Most Serene Venice," he replied, with a trace of pride in his voice. Madame de Pompadour, intrigued by this man who seemed to transcend time and space, turned to him, fan in hand, and asked, "Venice? Are you truly from down there?" Casanova, with the smile of one who holds the world in the palm of his hand, replied without hesitation or fear: "Venice, madam, is not down there but up there." A thrill rippled through the audience. That response, brimming with bold spirit and poetic arrogance, echoed like a plot twist written to stir the soul. In that moment, Casanova was not merely a man: he was Venice itself, the vision of a place that soars above the rest of the world. That evening, Paris bowed to the unstoppable charm of Giacomo Casanova. Every salon whispered his name, every heart beat faster at the thought of meeting him. He was the man who made the city tremble with just one phrase, transforming an ordinary night into legend.

Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour (29 December 1721 – 15 April 1764), commonly known as Madame de Pompadour, was a member of the French court. She was the official chief mistress of King Louis XV from 1745 to 1751, and remained influential as court favourite until her death.

Pompadour took charge of the king's schedule and was a valued aide and advisor, despite her frail health and many political enemies. She secured titles of nobility for herself and her relatives, and built a network of clients and supporters.

Pompadour was a major patron of architecture and decorative arts, especially porcelain. She was a patron of the philosophes of the Enlightenment, including Voltaire. Hostile critics at the time generally tarred her as a malevolent political influence, but historians are more favorable, emphasizing her successes as a patron of the arts and a champion of French pride. Modern historians suggest that the critics of Pompadour were driven by fears over the overturning of the existing hierarchies that Pompadour's power and influence represented, as a woman who was not born into the aristocracy.

She was also a significant influence in the establishment of the Paris lottery in which Casanova was heavily involved. 

In historical accounts and fictional portrayals, Giacomo Casanova, a renowned adventurer, often intersects with Madame de Pompadour, the influential mistress and advisor to King Louis XV of France, with Casanova sometimes depicted as a benefactor of hers, or someone who uses her influence for his own gain.

The pair has been frequently featured in movies, musicals and books. I get my inspiration for my work from the 1994 Japanese musical Casanova, Memento of a Dream - romantic musical about "the romance that never happened" between Giacomo Casanova (one of the most famous adventurers in love) and Madame de Pompadour (the favorite mistress of King Louis XV).

Every Venetian Carnival has a theme, and the 2025 Venice Carnival's Theme is “In the time of Casanova” (“Il Tempo di Casanova” in Italian), to honor the 300th anniversary of Giacomo Casanova's birth. So quite a few costumers come to Venice this year with the theme of Casanova as the inspiration for their costumes. The Venice Carnevale is not solely about masks. Local Italians prefer historical costumes or painted faces. During Carnevale, the whole Venice becomes a real life theatrical stage, and many of these historical costumes carry deep perspectives...

And as usual, the portraits are just done on the busy streets of Venice and using natural lighting only...It is not an indoor photo studio, there is no artificial lighting, flash or reflectors...I just take my street portraiture to an all new level....