On your trip to Venice, you can't afford to miss the Gallerie Dell'Accademia.
To make sure you don't miss a thing, I've decided to write an article devoted to the must-see paintings to be found here.
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Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice: article summary
- Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice: the Altarpiece of St. Jacob
- La Vecchia
- Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice: La Cena a Casa di Levi
- Titian's last painting
- Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice: Ciclo di Sant'Orsola
- La Tempesta
- What are the opening hours of the Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice?
- How much does admission cost?
Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice: the Altarpiece of St. Jacob
Seated on a throne, Mary with child can be seen in this work. To their left are St. Francis, John the Baptist and Job. On their right saints Dominique, Sébastien and Louis de Toulouse.
Below them are three marvellous angel musicians. The most extraordinary parts of this painting are the vault (a virtual extension of the real space of the San Giobbe church, for which it was painted, like a trompe-l'oeil) and the gilded mosaic, in which we can read these Latin words: Ave virginei flos intemerate pudoris (I salute you, blameless flower of virginal modesty).
If you look closely, you'll notice a figure not paying attention to the scene, absorbed in his book. The Dominican Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that Mary was not totally preserved from original sin. This is why the painter depicted St. Dominic reading, as if he were researching the subject.
La Vecchia
It is said that Michelangelo saw this work and kept it in mind when painting the Sibyls in the Sistine Chapel. The woman looks at the viewer with an expression of sadness, holding a scroll with these Italian words: Col tempo (with time). It's a pretty impressive piece of work, and I doubt you could pass it by without noticing it. Indeed, it seems to capture your attention as soon as you enter the premises.
Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice: La Cena a Casa di Levi
The painting was commissioned by the Dominicans of the Basilica of Saints John and Paul in Venice. The painting is full of detail, and above all, it's huge. Indeed, it is, it occupies an entire wall at the Gallerie dell'Accademia!
The chosen subject was to be Christ's Last Supper, but Veronese's interpretation was too irreverent for them. The subject was therefore avoided.
What's more, Veronese was investigated by the Holy Inquisition. They asked him to make some changes to the painting, so he changed the title! This cancelled any potential problems with the church at the time.
Titian's last painting
For his last picture, Titian painted for his own funeral at Sainte-Marie des Frères, but he died before the work was finished. This is Palma the Younger, his favorite apprentice, who completed it years later. On the lower part of the work, you can see a Latin inscription: Quod Titianus inchoatum reliquit Palma reverenter absolvit Deoque dicavit opus (the work Titian left unfinished, Palma completed with respect and dedicated to God).
In the center is Mary holding Christ. To their left is the Magdalene, on the right Nicodemus, a disciple of Jesus (probably Titian's self-portrait). At the sides are two statues, Moses and the Hellespontine Sibyl (who foretold Christ's death).
Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice: Ciclo di Sant'Orsola
This is a magnificent group of 9 large-scale murals on canvas commissioned by the Loredan family. In these works, you can admire architecture, nature, portraits of very different characters, details military, court and daily life.
La Tempesta
Finally, one of the last great paintings to be seen here is the Tempesta. It's a little gem. However, many people don't pay much attention to it, passing absent-mindedly by. Perhaps this is because the canvas is quite small.
It is, however, a true masterpiece. Some scholars believe it to be the first landscape in the history of Western art. It depicts a soldier and a nursing gypsy woman, isolated in a lush landscape. In the background, you can see a city threatened by a storm.
In fact, its meaning is still a mystery, and it is making this an exceptional piece.
What are the opening hours of the Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice?
The museum opens :
- Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7.45 p.m.
How much does admission cost?
To visit this place, you must count :
- 17 € for people over 25
For younger visitors, admission is free.
The Gallerie Dell'Accademia in Venice offers its visitors a wealth of works of art. On site, you'll discover masterpieces that have stood the test of time. Occasionally, exceptional exhibitions dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci also take place in this building. What you need discover the work of this master who lived in Venice.
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