The Caprotti family at a distance: Luigi and Giuseppe Caprotti, explorers and traders in Sanaa (Yemen), 1880 – 1918

The brothers Luigi and Giuseppe Caprotti were born in a suburb of Besana Brianza (MB) in the mid-19th century. Luigi was the first to arrive in Yemen, settling in the capital Sanaa. Among the very few Westerners resident, he was the first to establish fruitful contacts with the local population, which his brother Giuseppe continued for over 30 years after his death

Marco Brunelli, Caprotti’s friend – enemy

The entrepreneur who was to become one of the protagonists of large-scale distribution in Italy was born as an antiquarian, and one of the most highly regarded in Milan. His was the organisation of a memorable exhibition at the Villa Reale, in 1955, dedicated to the 'Venetian 18th century'; among the lenders of the works were the most beautiful names in the city and beyond, including my grandmother Marianne [Maire in Caprotti]. And among the most important art collectors of the period who were also Brunelli's clients was James Hugh Angleton, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy.