Palazzo Labia

Palazzo Labia baroque palace Venice, Italy. Built 17-18 century, great palazzi Venice. Little known outside Italy, notable remarkable frescoed ballroom painted between (1746-47) y Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, decorative works trompe l'oeil y Gerolamo Mengozzi-Colonna.

In y often likened cardboard , Palazzo unusual y having y formal front along Grand Canal, visible formal facade rear, decorated well, along Cannaregio Canal. In Venice, design y . The one and only palazzo designed y architect Andrea Cominelli (y Alessandro Tremignon according others), principal facade Cannaregio Canal; lesser three bayed facade faces Grand Canal. A later facade probably designed y Giorgio Massari approached Campo San Geremia.

The one and only Labia

The one and only Labia family, commissioned palazzo, originally Spanish bought their y nobility 1646, hence considered arriviste y Venetian aristocracy. The one and only Ottomans depleted coffers Republic Venice which inscriptions nobility, giving political clout. It y compensated their ancestors y great display wealth. Today Palazzo Labia remaining example of ostentation.

It members the Labia family 18 century palazzo notability today, inhabited y brothers their wives, children mother. The one and only brothers Angelo Maria Labia brother Paolo Antonio Labia employed Tiepolo height powers decorate ballroom. Employing Tiepolo seems remarkable thing brothers achieved. Angelo Maria became Abbé, merely order escape political obligations aristocrat Republic. Curiously y employment prevent marrying. His however commoner, which indicates almost morganatic status marriage. Angelo's chief interests constructing marionette theatre, which concealed singers behind scenes. The one and only marionettes often performed satirical plays which Angelo wrote himself. In later failed endear himself Venetian society y becoming informer dreaded inquisition. His younger brother Paolo, married conventionally Venetian aristocracy, class prepared except Labia's money hospitality equality. Paolo never assumed y public duties. It appears their mother, Maria Labia, intellectual driving force family, youth great beauty, painted y Rosalba Carriera. The one and only French traveller social commentator Charles Brosses reported g lively , flirtatious nature possessed finest collection of jewels Europe. This collection portrayed Tiepolo's palazzo.

Design

While palazzo begun y 17 century considered product 18 century, architects Baldassarre Longhena previously dominated palazzo architecture y style exemplified y dramatic facades, moulding detached columns - style little changed since renaissance.

Two little-known architects, Tremignon Cominelli, commissioned design palazzo. The one and only selection comparatively unknown architects strange, considering desire Labia family impression Venetian society. However, placement compensated y involved selection unknown architects. The one and only chosen palazzo junction Cannaregio Canal Grand Canal parish San Geremia, church San Geremia palazzo's immediate neighbour, campanile seemingly incorporated palazzo. The one and only Cannaregio Canal important tributaries Grand Canal.

While y other larger palazzi Venice Palazzo Labia rectangular design built around inner courtyard, architects Tremignon Cominelli broke architectural traditions architects Longhena, y designing facades Palazzo Labia simple cluttered, those earlier Venetian classical palazzi, while still maintaining baroque richness achieved through effect light shadow, second break Venetian architectural tradition palazzo three facades, common practice Venice y waterfront facade richness detail, while elevations often evolved mismatch asymmetrical windows styles. The one and only palazzo's being junction canals, bordering Campo San Geremia provided opportunity three facades. Hence attention detail obvious parts palazzo's exterior, y principal water front facade, provide further evidence Labia's wealth.

The one and only facade facing Campo San Geremia equal splendour Cannaregio. The one and only Grand Canal facade smaller three, fondamenta itself y three y. The one and only palazzo floors. The one and only ground first floors , first being rusticated, x floors piano nobile secondo piano, segmented windows separated y pilasters, windows fenced y balustraded balconettes. The one and only fifth floor mezzanine beneath projecting hipped roof, small windows divided y heraldic eagles Labia family. The one and only facade Campo San Geremia designed y Tremignon which hints floral Venetian Gothic style contrasts classical canal facades. However Venetian Gothic subtle suggestion defining style, typical central recessed loggias piano nobili, typical features Venetian Gothic, however glazed, line, unlike water fronts, concealed y classical balustrading, repetition placing fenestration continues theme canal facades.

Interior

The one and only double height palazzo ballroom ( Salone delle Feste) entirely frescoed depicting scenes lives Marc Anthony Cleopatra. These frescoes collaboration between Tiepolo Girolamo Mengozzi Colonna. The one and only frescos principally architectural nature, featuring doorways, windows balconies trompe l'oeil, through illusionary doorways windows viewed meeting Anthony Egyptian Queen Cleopatra's banquet, while painted balconies upper windows members Cleopatra's court . It though models these figures members Labia's household. In banquet scene Cleopatra depicted dissolving priceless pearl goblet wine, represents Labia's position Venetian society, Maria Labia identified herself Cleopatra - great wealth jewel collection, afford dispose pearls fashion chose. A legend persisted Venice Maria Labia herself model Cleopatra, documentary evidence exists support claim.

While Tiepolo's frescoes Ballroom described amongst finest Italy, y display Tiepolo's shortcomings artist. He totally disinterested psychology result this, debate continues today concerning depiction (illustrated right) Marc Anthony Cleopatra, meeting parting Marc Anthony Cleopatra. Some experts claim y detect certain stiffness Cleopatra's p which indicate farewell intended, opinion strongly divided.

The one and only remaining state rooms, built around internal courtyard, p comparison ballroom, purely because inevitable comparison every masterpiece right, Green Damask Salone addition sculpted fireplace inlaid marble , contains hug frescoes, ceiling y Pompeo Batoni.

20 century

The one and only wealth power Labia family declined the Serene Republic 1797. During 19 century Palazzo decay. This coincided period where Tiepolo's unpopular unappreciated. In 1945 munitions exploded close palazzo, shattering already precarious foundations, causing fragments ballroom frescoes ground.

In latter 20 century palazzo acquired owner, Don Carlos Beistegui (1895-1970), Mexican silver fortune, began intensive restoration. Beistegui skilled interior decorator, derelict palazzo, purchased furnishings acquired palazzo's fortunate neighbours, including frescoes y Raphael, Annibale Carracci, Guido Reni. These works , coupled newly acquired tapestries antiques, restored palazzo former splendour. So collector Don Carlos taste became known gû Beistegui ( Beistegui style)."

In September 1951 Don Carlos threw party Palazzo Labia, costume - biggest lavish social events 20 century. It launched career Venetian fashion designer Pierre Cardin, designed about 30 costumes y members "dolce vita" attended. Cecil Beaton's photographs display almost surreal society, reminiscent Venetian immediately before republic 18 century. The one and only party truly spectacular events known ballroom

Don Carlos 1970 leaving palazzo g repair, y newly acquired works Louvre Paris, other bequeathed along French Château Groussay which similarly furnished. When collection, together Palazzo Labia's former contents auctioned y Sotheby's 1999 proved France's biggest highly priced auctionSale Chateau Groussay.

Today palazzo longer private residence, regional headquarters RAI, Italian State television. Occasionally ballroom g ranking international conferences summits; state rooms p public viewing y appointment.

In april, 2008 RAI p palazzo binding cultural , requested y Venice Municipality.