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Ca’ Rezzonico: Venice’s Most Sumptuous Palace with Dr. Susan Steer

Ca’ Rezzonico: Venice’s Most Sumptuous Palace with Dr. Susan Steer


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Join art historian Susan Steer to explore this lavish palace and admire not only the splendid furnishings and art collections, but also to reveal the messages embedded in the gorgeous frescoes, which herald the rise of a wealthy, arriviste family and their acceptance into the Venetian nobility.

With its setting on the Grand Canal, its imposing architecture, and sumptuous decorations, Ca’ Rezzonico is among the most impressive former private palaces in Venice. It is open to the yet it remains one of the hidden gems of the city. Decorated with gorgeous frescoes, including several ceilings by Giambattista Tiepolo, Europe’s most celebrated eighteenth-century decorator, and brimming with innumerable artworks, luxury furnishings, and objets d’art, the palace was once home to one of Venice’s wealthiest families, the Rezzonicos. Arrivistes from elsewhere in Italy, the Rezzonico family had to work to gain acceptance among Venice’s ruling élite, and this palace was part of that project. Designed originally for another owner in the seventeenth century by the leading Baroque architect of Venice, Baldassare Longhena, and enlarged ambitiously for the Rezzonicos a century later, the palace incorporates a spectacular and luminous ballroom, where the marriage of a young couple was celebrated in magnificent style in 1757.

This seminar will take us through the palace to admire the imposing architecture, the prodigious decorations, and exquisite furnishings, many of which were rehomed from other Venetian collections. We will also discover the messages embedded in the gorgeous frescoes, celebrating the rise of the Rezzonicos, take in paintings by some of the greatest artists of eighteenth-century Venice, like Giambattista Tiepolo, Canaletto, Francesco Guardi, and Pietro Longhi, as well as the bizarrely unique decorations created by Giandomenico Tiepolo for his villa on the mainland. Finally, we will take a peek at a perfectly preserved eighteenth-century pharmacy, now housed on the top floor of the museum.

Led by Dr. Susan Steer, an expert on Venetian art, this interactive seminar will uncover one of Venice’s most surprising and glorious museums. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of Venice and its art in the eighteenth century and a desire to put this palace at the top of their must-see list when they next visit the city.

Susan Steer PhD is an art historian specializing in Medieval and Renaissance Venice. Susan has an extensive teaching background, lecturing on Italian art for universities in the UK and in Italy. She has also worked as a paintings researcher at museums in the UK, and has published on Italian Renaissance and Baroque art in leading specialist journals. She has lived in Venice for over 20 years.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 19 reviews
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J
John Goslin (Marietta, US)
Well Done Look at Ca’ Rezzonico Palace in Venice with Dr. Susan Steer

Susan Steer does great Conversations. I have enjoyed numerous others she has done. They have all been well organized, immaculately researched, filled with details, and presented in an entertaining fashion. This fit the mold.

My wife and I plan to visit Venice later this year and the Palace will be on our agenda.

M
Marilyn Willock (Toronto, CA)
Ca Rezzonico

Very thorough and complete.

W
W. (Sonoma, US)
Superb presentation

Like all of Context's seminars, they are well planned and hosted by subject matter experts who communicate well. Susan is exceptional and her love of Venice shows. Her tour reflects her depth of knowledge and research she has cultivated over the many years of her career. I'm glad to have seen this just prior to my own trip to Ca'Rezzonico later this month. Thank you.

J
J.R. (Voorhees Township, US)
Ca' Rezzonico

Fabulous presentation! Dr. Steer gave a wonderful overview of the most beautiful palace in Venice....it made use want to book our next trip to Venice immediately

M
M.S. (Vancouver, CA)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 19 reviews
100%
(19)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
John Goslin (Marietta, US)
Well Done Look at Ca’ Rezzonico Palace in Venice with Dr. Susan Steer

Susan Steer does great Conversations. I have enjoyed numerous others she has done. They have all been well organized, immaculately researched, filled with details, and presented in an entertaining fashion. This fit the mold.

My wife and I plan to visit Venice later this year and the Palace will be on our agenda.

M
Marilyn Willock (Toronto, CA)
Ca Rezzonico

Very thorough and complete.

W
W. (Sonoma, US)
Superb presentation

Like all of Context's seminars, they are well planned and hosted by subject matter experts who communicate well. Susan is exceptional and her love of Venice shows. Her tour reflects her depth of knowledge and research she has cultivated over the many years of her career. I'm glad to have seen this just prior to my own trip to Ca'Rezzonico later this month. Thank you.

J
J.R. (Voorhees Township, US)
Ca' Rezzonico

Fabulous presentation! Dr. Steer gave a wonderful overview of the most beautiful palace in Venice....it made use want to book our next trip to Venice immediately

M
M.S. (Vancouver, CA)

Guest did not leave comment