Book excerpt: Situated between the patriciate and popular orders, cittadini occupied the middle-tier of Venice's tripartite social hierarchy. Unlike the nobility, the citizenry was not a closed caste, and foreign individuals not fortunate enough to be born in Venice could become naturalised citizens provided they met certain requirements. As newcomers to the city, immigrant merchant families had to acquire the material commodities necessary for everyday life. De Maria investigates important aspects of the artistic, commercial and familial activities of naturalised citizen families. Much of the documentation concerning their commercial interests, real estate development, household management, chapel decoration and confraternity affiliations has not previously been published, allowing this study to expand both the context and the interpretation of Venetian painting and architecture of the highest calibre, including the commissions to Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese.