Philosopher, Art Critic. Born into a privileged Venetian family, Algarotti studied in Rome, Bologna, Florence and Paris before settling in London in 1744 where he became a member of the Royal Society, officially known as The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge. He studied and wrote on topics from classical literature and paintings, science, language, architecture to opera. His major works included “Newtonianism for Ladies,” “Dialogue on Light and Color,” “Travels in Russia,” and “Essays on the Fine Arts.” Algarotti traveled among the social set in Europe and Russia and spent more than a decade in Berlin where he was made a count by King Frederick II of Prussia and given the title of councillor by King Augustus III of Poland for whom he developed a personal art collection in Dresden.  With failing health, he returned to Venice in 1754 and then settled at Pisa where he died. (bio by: Samuel Taylor Geer)