Renaissance Venice.
Where to see art in the city.

Venice is a wonderous city, it is a magnet for tourists, romantics and art lovers. It’s world famous network of canals that weave through the buildings and are crossed by the many bridges make this one of the most picturesque urban destinations on the planet.

The Renaissance began in Florence but The artists of Venice made a huge contribution to this new artistic era, especially in the High Renaissance period. Beginning with the Bellini family, Giorgione, Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto are rightly regarded as important as their Florentine contemporaries.

Venice has many excellent places to see Renaissance art. I have concentrated my recommendations to three places that can be explored on a two day visit although three days is a better option, in my opinion cramming all three in on one day is too much of a rush.

Exploring the city of Venice is easy providing you have a decent map. Walking or using the canal ferries - which are much more affordable than a very expensive gondola ride - are both good options.

My three favoured options are; The Accademia Galleries, The Frari Church and The Scuola Grande di San Rocco, all three are must visits for any lover of Venetian Renaissance art.

Portrait of an old woman. Giorgione.
The Accademia Galleries Venice

The Venice Accademia Galleries.

The Accademia is located at the foot of the Accademia bridge on the south bank of the Grand Canal. It is home to a collection of artworks ranging from the Byzantine and Gothic periods to the 18th century.

The Gallery is home to some of the most important works of art by Venetian renaissance artists.

With paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Giorgione and Bellini are among many of the famous names on offer. Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing the Vitruvian Man is also part of the Accademia’s rich collection of artworks. Due to the fragility of Leonardo’s drawing it is only displayed for a short period every few years.

Other notable works include:- The Tempest by Giorgione, Veronese's Feast in the House of Levi, The Miracle of St Mark by Tintoretto and Titian's St John the Baptist.

The Frari Church.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary the S. Maria dei Frari became known locally as simply the Frari.

Containing two important altarpieces by Titian the Frari is a treasure trove packed with artistic masterpieces acquired over the centuries. The Pesaro Madonna has been called one of the masterpieces of Titian’s art and the High Altar features the wonderful Assumption by Titian. The Sacristy features a large triptych by Giovanni Bellini, an excellent wooden statue of John the Baptist by Donatello dominates a chapel dedicated to the Saint.

This magnificent building also has many chapels dedicated to various Saints including the chapel of Saint Mark with a fifteenth century triptych by Bartolomeo Vivarini.

The Facade of the Frari Church in Venice.

Detail of Musicians from Giovanni Bellini's Triptych in the Frari. 1516/19

Detail of Titian's Assumption of the Virgin. 1516/18

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

The Scuola in Venice was historically a guild or brotherhood of ordinary citizens, it is dedicated to San Rocco of Montpellier a Catholic Saint who died in 1377. San Rocco’s remains are thought to have been brought to Venice in 1485.

The interior of the building is intensely decorated, mainly by Tintoretto who worked for more than twenty years producing over sixty vast paintings. Many more artists are featured including paintings by Titian, Tiepolo and Strozzi who are among some of the famous artists who have work featured in this wonderful building. The scoula is so packed with masterpieces it is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Venice.

Tintoretto’s series of paintings in the Sala dell’ Albergo (known as the hotel room within the Scuola) is based on scenes from the passion of Christ reaches its climax in the Crucifixion. This enormous painting (74ft x30 ft) is considered to be one of the greatest works of Tintoretto’s career.

Tintoretto,
The brazen Serpent, detail
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Be prepared for a sensory overload when visiting this building, take your time, absorb the history and admire the works of art that surround you.

Tintoretto, Christ praying in the Garden. (s)

These three option will give visitors a taste of the Renaissance art in the city, there are many more. Visiting one option per day on a three day stay will leave time to explore the beautiful canals, St Marks, and the assortment of restaurants safe in the knowledge that Venice has also expanded your understanding of Renaissance art.

Enjoy Renaissance Venice.