ARTISTS IN VENICE
1. Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini (1430–1516), with his father Jacopo and brother Gentile, made Venice one of the greatest centres of Renaissance art. His anatomy studies added great precision to his work. His trademarks are radiant Madonnas, serene St Peters and brilliant satiny robes.
The Madonna of the Meadow (1505) by Giovanni Bellini
2. Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canal)
Famous for his landscapes of Venice and England, Canaletto (1697–1768) thrived under the patronage of the British consul Joseph Smith. Unfortunately, very few of his paintings can be seen in Venice.
View of the Grand Canal (late 1720s) by Canaletto
3. Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)
A native of the Cadore region, whose awe-inspiring Dolomite peaks often feature in his highly coloured dynamic compositions, Titian (1488–1576) came to Venice when young and studied under Giovanni Bellini.
4. Jacopo Tintoretto
The great Mannerist of the late Renaissance, Tintoretto (1518–94) produced huge, glowing canvases, seen at his main showcase the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, as well as his parish church Madonna dell’Orto.
5. Paolo Veronese
Foremost painter of the Venetian School, Veronese (1528–88) created huge canvases in classical settings and teeming with people. They are on display in the Doge’s Palace and the Chiesa di San Sebastiano.
6. Giambattista Tiepolo
Tiepolo (1696–1770) is admired for his luminous poetic frescoes from the Rococo period, such as those he was commissioned to paint on the ceiling of the Scuola Grande dei Carmini in Dorsoduro. The villas near Vicenza also feature his work; however, his best work is in the Residenz, Würzburg.
7. Vittorio Carpaccio
This Renaissance master (1465–1525) delighted in remarkably detailed scenes of daily life in contemporary Venice. His original narrative style and marvellous command of light characterize his many cycles on display at the Accademia galleries and the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni.
8. Giorgione
A native of Castelfranco Veneto, Giorgione (1477–1510) came to Venice when young to serve as an apprentice under Giovanni Bellini. In his brief life, he produced memorable mood works that he never signed. One of his most famous works, The Tempest, can be seen in the Accademia.
Virgin and Child (1504) by Giorgione
9. Pietro Longhi
Longhi (1702–85) painted witty scenes of the everyday life of the well-to-do folk in Venice. Examples of his work can be admired at the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, as well as in Ca’ Rezzonico. Many figures are wearing the traditional Venetian mask.
10. Francesco Guardi
A prolific landscape painter, Guardi (1712–93) successfully captured the light and atmosphere of Venice in decline. People are depicted as insignificant and powerless against landscapes that incorporate the lagoon and islands. His canvases are on display at Ca’ Rezzonico.
TOP 10 VENICE ARCHITECTS
1. Andrea Palladio (1508–80)
Regarded as one of the most influential architects of the western world, Palladio designed Classical villas in the Veneto and churches in Venice.
Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore, by Andrea Palladio
2. Jacopo Sansovino (1486–1570)
Outstanding architect who trained under – and took his name from – sculptor Andrea Sansovino. Examples of Jacopo’s work are the Libreria and Zecca.
3. Baldassare Longhena (1598–1682)
Longhena’s masterpiece, Santa Maria della Salute, was designed when he was just 26, but his flamboyant style is also seen in Ca’ Rezzonico.
4. Pietro Lombardo (1435–1515)
Lombardy native Pietro was director of works at the Doge’s Palace. His trademark leafy bas-relief pattern is also seen at Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
5. Mauro Coducci (c.1440–1504)
The Renaissance designs of Lombardy native Coducci can be seen in Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi.
6. Bartolomeo Bon (1374–1464)
Sculptor/architect Bon’s designs were the basis for the church and Scuola di San Rocco and the Ca’ d’Oro.
7. Michele Sanmicheli (1484–1559)
Original military fortification designs by this Mannerist architect are found in his home town of Verona.
8. Antonio Da Ponte (1512–95)
This engineer and architect is well known for the Rialto Bridge.
9. Giannantonio Selva (1757–1819)
In Venice, Selva is best known for the elegant Fenice theatre.
10. Carlo Scarpa (1906–78)
Modernist Scarpa reorganized both the Accademia and the Querini Stampalia along Japanese-inspired lines.
