The Gallery of the Academy of Venice is a state art museum located on several sites in the Dorsoduro district on the banks of the Grand Canal. It is of significant international interest because it contains the most valuable collection of Venetian paintings in the world.
Description
The architectural complex, which now houses the Gallery of the Academy of Venice, consists of several historical buildings:
- Church of Santa Maria della Carita;
- a monastery at the church;
- high school (Great School) of the same name.
In 2015, the museum received organizational, technical, scientific, financial and accounting autonomy. At the same time, it is administratively subordinate to the Directorate General of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.
Early story
The history of the Academy Gallery in Venice dates back to the first decades of the 12th century, when the so-called high school, the Great Schools, began to be created. This is a medieval secular fraternity, engaged in charity, study and material support of history and art. One of the skuol was formed at the church of Santa Maria della Carita and today is part of the museum complex.
In the 15th century, buildings passed to the monastic Augustine order. The Augustinians did a great job of restoring the complex, preserving cultural and material values.
Academy Establishment
On September 24, 1750, the Venetian Senate authorized the birth of the Venice Academy, the ancestor of the Gallery of the Academy of Venice. The Academic Council consisted of 36 professors who taught disciplines: drawing, portrait, landscape, sculpture. The Department of Perspective and Architecture was founded in 1768. In the second half of the 18th century, the facade and premises of the Great School were renovated according to the designs of Giorgio Massari and his student Bernardino Macaruzzi.
Since its inception, the Venice Academy has been responsible for the preservation and restoration of paintings. One of the founders of the restoration technique was Peter Edwards. He stood at the origins of the Institute of the Official State School for the Repair of Damaged Paintings, opened in 1819.
Royal Academy of Fine Arts
In 1797, Venice was conquered by Napoleon, who, among other things, was a great connoisseur of painting. By his decree of 1807, the Academy was transformed into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. However, the changes were not only about changing the name. Efforts were made to collect paintings from monasteries, church institutions, public and private collections in order to systematize and preserve them. The collection was also enriched by donations from the masters themselves and various wealthy private collectors. On August 10, 1817, the gallery was open to visitors.
The professor of architecture Giannantonio Selve was commissioned to adapt the complex of buildings of Santa Maria della Carita to host works of art and carry out scientific and educational activities, and later to head the institution. Many of the collected works are stored here to this day. In 1879, the Gallery of the Academy of Venice was separated from the direct control of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, becoming an independent organization.
Unfortunately, a large number of works of art were confiscated and taken to Paris. Some of them after the defeat of Napoleon were returned to their homeland.
Collections
The Gallery of the Academy of Venice contains mostly paintings by local artists. In the halls you can trace the development of the Venetian art school, starting from the XIV century.
Here are the works of artists such as Piazzetta, Tiepolo, Zanchi, Disani, Morlater, Selva, Canova, Hayes, Lipparini, Matteini, Grigoletti, Politi, Momenti, Favretto, Nono, Chiardi, Milesi, Tito, Cadorin, Cesetti, Saetti, Juli , Arturo Martini, Alberto Viani, Mario de Luigi, Carlo Scarpa, Afro, Santomaso, Emilio Vedova. But the main masterpieces are paintings by Titian, Carpaccio, Batista, Giorgione, Tintoretto and Bellini. These names are only part of a large collection.
Visit
The Gallerie dell'Accademia Museum is located at Campo della Carità, Dorsoduro 1050, 30123 Venezia. Working hours:
- Monday: from 8:15 to 13:00;
- Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Ticket sales end 45 minutes before closing time.
A full ticket costs € 15, but the price may vary depending on the exposure available. Half the cost (€ 7.50) is paid by citizens of the European Union aged 18 to 25 years with an identification document, as well as full-time teachers of educational institutions.
Free (but with a reservation fee) are allowed:
- youth under 18 years of age (with identification document);
- Journalists
- EU students and scholars in humanities (architecture, writers, archeology, cultural heritage researchers, historians, etc.);
- employees of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage;
- members of ICOM (International Council of Museums);
- disabled people of the EU.
Travel guides and certified translators accompanying organized groups can visit the Academy Gallery in Venice for free and without a fee. Do I need to book tickets?
Given the high popularity of the museum complex, as well as restoration and repair work, limiting visit times and affecting the availability of individual exhibits, it is advisable to take care of tickets in advance. This can be done on the official website. Applications are accepted from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 19:00, on Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00 local time. During main holidays and on Sunday no reservation is made. You can pay for services by card or bank transfer.
Reviews
The galleries of the Academy in Venice occupy a significant place among the greatest museums in the world. According to tourists who have been here, a place is a must-see for all lovers of the beautiful. In addition to permanent exhibitions, thematic exhibitions from other museums are regularly held. The inconvenience is that in the summer repairs and restoration work are carried out. Some halls, expositions or individual paintings may not be available for review.