Abstract
Humprecht Johann Czernin (1628 - 1682) descended from a poor family branch, thanks to the legacy of his grand-uncle Hermann, the double envoy to the Ottoman Porta, he became one of richest noblemen in Bohemia. In 1649, during his Grand Tour, he donated the Italian translation of the important Spanish diplomatic guide Il perfetto ambasciatore.
Maybe it adumbrated his future diplomatic career. Thanks to his friendship with the young emperor Leopold and his perfect knowledge of Italian milieu he was in 1660 appointed the imperial envoy in Venice.
His ceremonial entrance was postponed in several months owing to controversy about precedence, but after all he fulfilled his mission in the Republic, which was an important ally in the struggle against Turks. In addition, he established in Venice the base of his collection of paintings.