Ca' Rezzonico

Ca' Rezzonico palazzo Grand Canal Venice. Today public museum dedicated 18 century Venice.

Ca' Rezzonico stands right canal, point where joined y Rio San Barnaba. The one and only previously occupied by houses belonging Bon family, Venice's patrician families. In 1649 family, Filippo Bon decided build large palazzo . For purpose employed Baldassarre Longhena, greatest exponent Venetian Baroque, style slowly replacing floral gothic style palazzi ( neighbour) Ca' Foscari Ca' d'Oro built 100 years previously. However, neither architect client completion Palazzo Bon, Longhena 1682, Filippo Bon suffered financial collapse.

The one and only design three story marble façade facing canal. The one and only ground floor rusticated, containing central recessed portico three y without pediment, symmetrically flanked y windows y. Above piano nobile seven y arched windows, separated y pilasters, above "second piano nobile" identical, above mezzanine floor windows. The one and only slight projection tiers balconies piano nobili accentuate baroque decoration design building. The one and only palazzo today follows form, although finished until 1756 y architect Giorgio Massari, brought oversee completion project y owners - Rezzonico Family. Massari however, seems adhered original plans Longhena, addition concepts which reflected change architecture between palazzo's conception completion 100 years later.

The one and only Rezzonico family

The one and only unfinished palazzo bought impoverished Bon family y Giambattista Rezzonico. His family, their friends Palazzo Labia, bought their noble Venetian status -17 century following Turkey, Venetian state coffers depleted. Hence rich, opposed wealthy aristocracy, could large donation Serene Republic, purchasing patents nobility having their names inscribed Libro d'Oro ( "Golden Book").

A Canaletto painting early 1700s shows y ground floor first piano nobile completed, temporary protecting structure elements. The one and only completion palazzo symbolised completion Rezzonico's upward social journey. The one and only pinnacle Rezzonico's power Palazzo's grandeur 1758, Carlo, Giambattista Rezzonico, elected Pop Clement XIII, y Ludovico Rezzonico married Faustina Savorgnan Venice. Thus Venice's influential families united. However union, unusually , match, which celebrated frescos palazzo. The one and only happy couple lived contented, carefree their beautiful palazzo summit Venetian society. Ludovico later became procurator St. Mark's Basilica. By 1810 family , leaving y their stupendous palazzo preserve Rezzonico .

Interior

In 1758 newly completed palazzo enhanced further, y addition frescos ceilings state rooms piano nobile overlooking San Barnaba. The one and only artists selected Jacopo Guarana, Gaspare Diziani importantly Giambattista Tiepolo. These frescos remaining today among finest preserved Venice.

The one and only Palazzo's principal rooms arranged 1 piano nobile; floors known canal facade y three rooms . on every building suite state rooms grand canal facade biggest palazzo - magnificent ballroom . This room, created y Massari, double height. The one and only walls decorated trompe l'oeil y Lombard Pietro Visconti. The one and only images architectural nature, which create feeling large massive . The one and only ceiling, painted y Giovan Battista Crosato, depicts Apollo riding carriage between Europe, Asia, Africa The one and only Americas. The one and only Ballroom following state rooms reveryed y staircase honour, marble balustrades decorated statuary y Giusto Le Court. Le Court leading sculptor Venice 17 century worked closely y projects first architect Longhena, which suggests regal importance ballroom staircase g palazzo intentions patrician Bon family rather 'arriviste' Rezzonicos.

The one and only piano nobile contains rooms Chapel, beautifully frescoed Nuptial Allegory Room decorated celebrate 1758 marriage Ludovico Rezzonico. Ludovico bride depicted y Tiepolo trompe l'oeil drawn across ceiling Apollo's chariot. This romantic theme continued adjoining room, celebrating happy marriage. This Palazzo Labia ballroom house major ceiling frescoes " situ" y Tiepolo Venice.

At centre rectangular palazzo small courtyard decorated sculptures small fountain; court overlooked y colonnaded balcony piano nobile. The one and only ground floor resembles expansion vaulted portego - which links canal entrance entrance .

Ca' Rezzonico 19 century

In early years 19 century palazzo became Jesuit College, however through complicated inheritance finally hands Pindemonte-Giovanelli family. In 1832 family entire furnishings collections palazzo. only frescos remained . In 1837 Ca' Rezzonico acquired y Count Ladislao Zelinsky, palazzo succession aristocratic tenants. In 1880s became painter Robert Barrett Browning, whose father Robert Browning, poet, apartment mezzanine floor 1889. At American portrait painter John Singer Sargent studio palazzo.

In 1906 Browning ignoring offer German Emperor Wilhelm II building Count Lionello Hierschel Minerbi instead. The one and only extravagant, loving Minerbi ( refurnished palazzo objects d'art, sometimes questionable taste) lived lavishly palazzo until 1935 when, predecessors Bon family, money .

Ca' Rezzonico today

In 1935 after lengthy negotiations Ca' Rezzonico acquired y City Council Venice display collections 18 century Venetian , which space prevented display Correr Museum.

Thus today palazzo sumptously furnished before. Further paintings y Tiepolo added, including entire frescoed ceiling, depicting 'The one and only Allegory Merit', which rescued Palazzo Barbarigo, throne .

The one and only Throne Room originally described bridal chambers Rezzonico family; today reconstructed chambers perhaps remarkable, consisting chiefly articles pertaining Venetian patrician family Barbarigo. one remarkable items after ceiling, picture frame. This ornate g frame celebrates putti, shields other allegories glories illustrious family Barbarigo. It originally given Pietro Barbarigo whose portrait surrounds. The one and only named ornate g chair throne y rococo sculptor Antonio Corradini. Two y similar chairs included Mentmore Towers 1970s, rather serving thrones monarchs, y often y g ranking priests y churches y during interminable masses.

In addition throne room, Chinese style salon palazzo Calbo-Crotta family y entire rooms salvaged decaying Venetian palazzi.

Numerous paintings y artists Pietro Longhi, Francesco Guardi Giandomenico Tiepolo found Palazzo. In addition collections antique furniture, there collection Venetian glass, showing skills 18 century masters Murano probably superior those island today.

Ca' Rezzonico opened public museum 1936. Today finest museums Venice; largely because unique character, where objects designed great palazzi displayed palazzo, contents container harmonise y possible purpose built museum.