Ca' Rezzonico

Ca’ Rezzonico, located in the Dorsoduro district in Venice, is one of the most majestic palaces on the Grand Canal and houses the Museum of 18th Century Venetian Art. This palace is an icon of Venetian Baroque and Rococo architecture and is a fascinating witness to life and art in 18th century Venice. The construction of the palace began in 1649 at the request of the noble Bon family, who entrusted the project to the architect Baldassarre Longhena, known for other iconic works such as the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. However, construction was halted in 1682 due to Longhena’s death and the Bon family’s financial difficulties. It was only in 1751 that the palace was purchased by the Rezzonico family, originally from Como and recently ennobled, who commissioned architect Giorgio Massari to complete the work. Massari respected Longhena’s design but made significant changes, introducing Rococo elements and completing the interior with sumptuous decorations. The palace was finally completed in 1756, shortly before the election of Carlo Rezzonico as Pope Clement XIII in 1758, an event that marked the peak of the family’s fortune. The interiors of the palace were decorated by the greatest artists of the time, including Giambattista Tiepolo, who painted spectacular frescoes such as the Nuptial Allegory to celebrate the marriage between Ludovico Rezzonico and Faustina Savorgnan. Ca’ Rezzonico thus became a symbol of the wealth and power of the Rezzonico family, hosting sumptuous balls and parties that reflected the splendor and sophistication of Venetian life in the 18th century. However, the family’s trajectory was short-lived: the last male descendant, Cardinal Abbondio Rezzonico, died in 1810, marking the end of the dynasty. Throughout the 19th century, the palace changed ownership several times and was inhabited by illustrious tenants, including the English poet Robert Browning, who died there in 1889. In the 1920s, the palace was rented by the American composer Cole Porter, known for his legendary costume parties. In 1935, Ca’ Rezzonico was purchased by the city of Venice to house the Museum of 18th Century Venetian Art, which opened to the public the following year. The museum today features an extraordinary collection of 18th century artworks, including paintings by Canaletto, Pietro Longhi, and Francesco Guardi, as well as original furnishings, everyday objects, and frescoes from other Venetian palaces. The Tiepolo Room, the Tapestry Room, and the Brustolon Room are just a few of the magnificent rooms that visitors can admire. One of the most fascinating sections of the museum is the Ai Do San Marchi Pharmacy, reconstructed with original 18th century furnishings, offering a glimpse into medicine and science of the time. Additionally, the Egidio Martini Art Gallery houses a vast collection of paintings, including works by Titian and Tintoretto.