FRANCESCO ALGAROTTI (1712-1764) - INTERNATIONAL CAREER OF A VENETIAN ‘COSMOPOLITAN' (Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764). Miedzynarodowa kariera weneckiego ‘kosmopolity')

The article comprehensively presents the profi le of Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764), an art theoretician, art collector and diplomat. Nowadays, he belongs to less known representatives of the Italian Enlightenment, but in his times he was very renowned at European courts. The article focuses on the exceptionally colorful life of the Venetian, providing information about his participation in scientific and intellectual life of the university communities and elites of 18th-century Europe. His diplomatic career is discussed separately - with special emphasis put on his role at the Saxons court and his participation in a diplomatic mission to Russia which could be of special interest to Polish readers. Against this biographical background, his main works devoted to artistic issues are examined in a concise way, such as ‘Saggio sopra la pittura', or ‘Le lettere sopra la pittura'.