From the unpublished works of Rosalba Carriera to the 1900s, three centuries of history at Palazzo Vendramin Grimani in Venice

The Golden Tree Foundation in Venice announces the opening of one of the most anticipated exhibitions of 2025: Of Stories and Art. Three Centuries of Life at Palazzo Vendramin Grimani. The exhibition, curated by Massimo Favilla and Ruggero Rugolo, with installation by Daniela Ferretti, will open at the Foundation on April 12, 2025 and will be open to the public until November 23 of the same year.

The exhibition project stems from an in-depth research that lasted a full four years and will culminate in the publication of a volume that will explore in detail the history of the palace and the illustrious families who inhabited it. Palazzo Vendramin Grimani, a building that has seen some of Venice’s most powerful and influential families pass through its rooms, is located in the heart of the San Polo sestiere, just a stone’s throw from the Grand Canal, and for centuries has been home to evidence of the artistic, cultural and social history of the lagoon city. The exhibition itinerary traces the vicissitudes of this palace, once home to the Vendramin, Grimani Giustinian, Marcello and other families, who have left tangible traces in their art collections, furnishings and family traditions.

Through an articulated itinerary, the exhibition presents a series of previously unpublished works of art, including four pastels by the celebrated Rosalba Carriera (Venice, 1673 - 1757) and a painting by Angelica Kauffmann (Chur, 1741 - Rome, 1807), as well as a wide selection of original furnishings, including furniture, ceramics, glassware, porcelain, silver, textiles and period clothing. The objects, from the collections of the families who lived in the palace until the 1960s, tell the story of collecting passions and changing aesthetic tastes from generation to generation. The rooms on the first piano nobile of Palazzo Vendramin Grimani, once a private residence, will be transformed into a true journey through time, where each room will have its own specific characterization. The visit will allow the public to immerse themselves in the daily life of its inhabitants, starting with Doge Pietro Grimani (Venice, 1677-1752), a leading figure in 18th-century Venetian culture. Letters, archival documents and historical photographs will reveal intimate details and curiosities related to their private lives, amid passions, interests and habits that shaped their days. One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibition is the in-depth look at the musical traditions of the Grimani Giustinian and Marcello families.

A specially dedicated room will explore the importance of music in the lives of these nobles, presenting period instruments, musical scores and objects related to musical writing and practice. The section will offer visitors an opportunity to reflect on the musical culture of Venice, a city famous for its lively musical and theatrical scene. The exhibition does not forget childhood either, with a look at the lives of the youngest through a selection of toys and objects that tell the story of the world of childhood at Palazzo Vendramin Grimani. Objects dedicated to children’s games fit perfectly into a narrative that becomes increasingly intimate and personal, adding a delicate touch to the tale of a noble Venetian family. In addition, the exhibition will explore the art of receiving, a fundamental aspect of Venetian culture, linked to representation and sociality. Among porcelain, glassware and silver, visitors will discover how the table was a place of representation, an occasion to express status and to consolidate social and cultural ties.

To make the visitor’s experience even more engaging, the exhibition will be enriched by a selection of videos and animations that will allow visitors to relive the historical protagonists of Palazzo Vendramin Grimani. Thanks to technology, it will be possible to listen to the voices and see the faces of those who inhabited these spaces, creating a bridge between past and present that allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the life and emotions of a bygone era.

From the unpublished works of Rosalba Carriera to the 1900s, three centuries of history at Palazzo Vendramin Grimani in Venice

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