Venice is an exceptional city. A unique blend of land and sea, marooned in the waters of the lagoon. A city of breath-taking art and architecture. A city of more than 140 churches, at least 500 palaces and literally tens of thousands of portraits, landscapes, paintings, sculptures and other art works.

The Accademia Art Gallery houses a selection of some of Venice’s finest works. The recently refurbished galleries are a treat for the eyes. Fresh, clean and easy to enjoy. The galleries are spacious and not over-crowded. Exceptional works of art are given space and distance from their neighbours. This enables the visitor to appreciate and enjoy each piece of art. I’d strongly recommend a visit. 

Next time you have an hour or so to spare in Venice pop into the Accademia – you won’t be disappointed. The quality of the art is quite literally mozzafiato (breath-taking). The level of detail in the paintings, especially those of Carpaccio and Bellini is a feast for the eyes. Whilst the richness of colour and texture of Veronese and Titian’s work, given that both were painting in the late 15th and early 16th century, means that these paintings are more than five hundred years old.

To give you an appreciation of the times these painters were working in here are their dates. Bellini and Carpaccio were mostly active in the 15th century. Whilst Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese were 16th century. When you think that Columbus was making his voyage westwards to ‘discover’ the New World in 1492 that gives some context for the age of these amazing paintings. 

• BELLINI Gentile – 1429-1507
• CARPACCIO Vittorio – 1465-1526 (approx)
• TITIAN Tiziano Vecelli – 1490-1576
• TINTORETTO Jacopo – 1518-1594
• VERONESE Paolo – 1528-1588

I’m going to have to close with a painting by Veronese, an allegorical version of the Battle of Lepanto. This battle took place in the eastern Mediterranean in 1571, although the Venetians, with their allies managed to win the battle, it really marked the end of Venetian dominance of the region. Here’s Veronese’s imagined version of events:

Notes: 

• To discover more about Venice’s unique artistic style – why not investigate: Orientalism in Venetian Art
• Whilst Venice, the city as a whole is a magnificent and unique work of art, with exceptional architecture, design and appearance, it is well worth paying a visit to the Gallerie dell’Accademia where a truly exceptional collection of art awaits you – The Accademia, Venice

Enjoy!

Updated: 10-01-2020