Count Giovanni, born in 1799, was the last descendant of the Querini Stampalias.

His father, Alvise Querini, was ambassador of the Republic of Venice to Paris when the Republic dissolved. His mother, Maria Teresa Lippomano, was known for her lively personality; after studying law, she chose to pursue art and literature, as well as chemistry, physics and natural sciences, for which she had an extensive laboratory. She also dedicated herself to the management and growth of the book collections of her ancestors. Giovanni  was a wise administrator of his family's patrimony and a modern businessman. He travelled extensively to improve his technological knowledge, held many administrative positions and participated in several cultural and civic institutions.

When the Count died in 1869, he left to the city of Venice and to the world all his possessions, including the historical family Palace, lands, houses, books, printed documents, paintings, furniture, art objects, and coins and medals, in order to create, according to the Count's wishes, a Foundation that promotes "studies and useful disciplines” that would be open to visitors especially when the other cultural institutions were closed.