Pietro Dolfin (1444-1525)

Pietro Dolfin was born in Venice in 1444, the son of Vittore Dolfin and Lucia Soranzo, both of whom came from Venetian noble families.   He studied under the humanist Pietro Pierleoni da Rimini and then, aged 16, entered the Camaldulensian monastery of San Michele in Murano.

Dolfin was quickly noticed for his learning, his agile mind and his observance of the rule and in 1479 he became abbot of the monastery.  The following year, although only 36, he was elected general (that is head) of the Camaldulensian Order, a position he retained until 1514.  He therefore moved to Camaldoli near Florence, which was the mother house of the order.  As General he promoted reform of the order and founded a number of new monasteries. 

While at Camaldoli he became acquainted with various members of the Medici family, who ruled Florence at that time, and in 1492 he accompanied the young cardinal Giovanni de’ Medici to Rome as his mentor.  When the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola started preaching in Florence, Dolfin was initially supportive as he found much in common with Savonarola’s call for reform.  However, as the latter’s preaching became more extreme, he began to oppose him and in 1498 published an important work refuting Savonarola’s views.  During his time at Camaldoli, Dolfin also undertook a number of diplomatic missions.  In his later years as General, various disputes arose within the order and Dolfin encountered significant personal opposition; this led him to resign from his position in 1514. He retired to Florence and then to the monastery at Murano, where he died in 1525.

Dolfin was one of the outstanding humanists of the period and was active in promoting church reform. His extensive correspondence provides a rich resource on Italian history and intellectual life.  His name was put forward several times for the positions of Patriarch of Venice, Patriarch of Aquileia and to become a cardinal, but he always refused, wishing to remain a Camaldulensian.