Museum Ca’ Rezzonico:
The Museum of 18th Century Venice Art is located in a luxurious palace built in the 17th century.
Here are displayed paintings by Tintoretto, Piazzetta, Guardi, Longhi, sculptures, carved furniture by the renowned cabinetmaker Andrea Brustolon, clothing and accessories, as well as interior items – crystal chandeliers, porcelain vases, mirrors.
The interiors of this palace are also worthy of admiration: the ceilings, richly decorated with frescoes and reliefs, and the geometric patterns on the walls excellently demonstrate the love for luxury that prevailed in that era.
The peak of the Rezzonico family’s power was the election of Giambattista’s brother, Carlo Rezzonico, as Pope Clement XIII. It was in the Rezzonico palace that the celebrations in honor of the new pope took place.
The Venetian palace long retained the imprint of its origin, that is, features characteristic of a house – shop. The building had two entrances: from the water and from the land. Goods arrived at the house by sea, and were immediately lifted to the main hall, where clients came. A little earlier, the main hall was used only for receptions and celebrations. On the first floor, on either side of the entrance, there were office and storage rooms. One floor above, on the sides of the main hall, were the living quarters of the house’s owners. In the upper floor rooms lived the servants and workers. At the back facade, there was a courtyard with a well, accessed by an external staircase. Even when the Venetians ceased to be merchants, palaces continued to be built for a long time in accordance with these traditions, which became typical of Venetian architecture.
The palace was begun by Baldassare Longhena for the noble Bon family. In 1682, the architect died before completing the palace: only two floors were built. In 1751, the palace was purchased by Giambattista Rezzonico, a wealthy Lombard who moved to Venice. Rezzonico commissioned Giorgio Massari to complete the construction of the palace, which was done in 1756. Many famous artists participated in the decoration and embellishment of the palace: Giambattista Crosato, Pietro Visconti, Giambattista Tiepolo, Jacopo Guarana, Gaspare Diziani.
The Rezzonico palace is built in the characteristic Italian manner: around an inner courtyard. Completing the palace, Massari finished the main facade according to Longhena’s design, while he altered the rear facade, creating a lavishly decorated entrance, a magnificent grand staircase, and an unusually designed ballroom, for which the ceilings of the third floor were removed.
The entire facade of the building presents an impressive play of dark and light, so characteristic of Baroque.
Open every day except Tuesday, December 24, January 1, May 1.
