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The collection of artworks of the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari: photos and details of the most famous, must-see masterpieces of the Frari Church.

Basilica dei Frari Artworks

 

Altar of St. Anthony

Basilica dei Frari Altar of St. Anthony

The present altar was built by the Fellowship of St. Anthony as a replacement for an older wood. The design is Baldassarre Longhena, while the execution is by Giuseppe Sardi, as well as attests to the contemporary Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1718). Four large columns of white Carrara marble frame the statue of the saint surrounded by four angels. On the sides are statues of Faith and Hope, works by Bernardo Falcone di Lugano (1630-1697); above them, on the sides of the entablature, are placed Charity and Prudence by Giusto Le Court (1627-1679).

  • Artwork: Altar of St. Anthony.
  • Artist/Author: Baldassarre Longhena and Giuseppe Sardi
  • Date: 1663
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: First altar on the right (number 32). See church plan.

 

Tomb of Antonio Canova

Basilica dei Frari Tomb of Antonio Canova

After the death of Antonio Canova, which took place October 13, 1822, his body was buried in Possagno (his hometown), while her heart was placed in an urn of porphyry kept at the Accademia in Venice. At the behest of Count Leopoldo Cicognara the monument was erected in the Basilica dei Frari with a model of one designed by Canova himself to Titian. The heart of the sculptor here was deposed in 1827.

  • Artwork: Monument to Antonio Canova.
  • Artist/Author: Antonio Bosa, Giuseppe Fabris, Rinaldo Rinaldi, Bartolomeo Ferrari, Luigi Zandomeneghi and Jacopo De Martini.
  • Date: 1822-27
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Left aisle (number 3). See church plan.

 

Chapel of St. Mark or Corner

Basilica dei Frari Chapel of St. Mark

Giovanni Corner built this chapel in 1420 and dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist in memory of his uncle Marco.

Triptych of St. Mark

The Triptych of St. Mark is signed and dated by Bartolomeo Vivarini in 1474. The beautiful wooden altarpiece that welcomes the work is a typical masterpiece of Gothic art. In the central compartment, St. Mark is sitting on a marble throne, surrounded by angels. To the left are depicted Saint John the Baptist and St. Jerome, on the right St. Peter and St. Nicholas.

  • Artwork: Triptych of St. Mark.
  • Artist/Author: Bartolomeo Vivarini
  • Date: 1474
  • Artistic Technique: Painting
  • Location: Corner Chapel (number 9). See church plan.

St. John the Baptist sculpture

The St. John the Baptist sculpture is signed by the Florentine Sansovino and is located on the large baptismal font donated by the family of the Giustiniani in 1826.

  • Artwork: St. John the Baptist.
  • Artist/Author: Jacopo Tatti, called Sansovino
  • Date: 1554
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Corner Chapel (number 9). See church plan.

 

Chapel of the Milanese

Chapel of the Milanese

The chapel of the Milanese was so named because the Lombard colony, thriving in Venice, obtained by Franciscan friars, since 1361, license to use it. The Brotherhood restored the chapel at his own expense to consecrate it, in 1421, at the bishop of Como Antonio Rusconi. The Pala represents the triumph of St. Ambrose bearing in his right hand the scourge and the crook in his left.

  • Artwork: Saint Ambrose Enthroned with Saints.
  • Artist/Author: Alvise Vivarini and Marco Basaiti
  • Date: 1503
  • Artistic Technique: Painting on panel
  • Location: Milanese Chapel (number 10). See church plan.

The plate commemorates the burial of the famous musician Claudio Monteverdi from Cremona, brother of the School, who died in Venice November 28, 1643.

  • Artwork: Tomb of Claudio Monteverdi.
  • Artist/Author: Anonymous
  • Date: 17th century
  • Artistic Technique: Pavement slab
  • Location: Milanese Chapel (number 10). See church plan.

 

Chapel of the Franciscan Saints

Chapel of the Franciscan Saints

The altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child enthroned. To his right are St. Clare, St. Bonaventure, St. Francis and St. Mark; behind the head of the client: father Antonietto da Venezia; to the left: St. John the Baptist, St. Anthony, St. Louis d'Anjou (Bishop of Toulouse) and Saint Andrew.

  • Artwork: Madonna and Child with Saints.
  • Artist/Author: Bernardino Licinio
  • Date: 1524
  • Artistic Technique: Painting
  • Location: Chapel of the Franciscan Saints (number 12). See church plan.

The painting of the martyrs of the Franciscan represents the first five Franciscan martyrs: Bernard, Peter, Accursio, Adiuto and Ottone martyred in Morocco.

  • Artwork: The first martyrs of the Franciscan.
  • Artist/Author: Bernardino Licinio
  • Date: 16th century
  • Artistic Technique: Painting on panel
  • Location: Chapel of the Franciscan Saints (number 12). See church plan.

 

Tomb of Doge Nicolò Tron

Basilica dei Frari Tomb of Doge Nicolò Tron

The monument celebrates the recognition of the Venetian Republic to the rich merchant Niccolò Tron, for having rescued it from the period of economic crisis that was going through. The architectural and monumental work of Rizzo is one of the greatest works of the Venetian Renaissance sculpture. The twenty-two statues are divided into four orders: the first order, in the middle, represents the Doge, to the left Faith and to right Charity. In the second order, two warriors hold up the shield of family Tron, while the center is placed the inscription flanked by two bas-reliefs. In the third order, the Doge lies on the urn decorated with the three statues of Prudence, Wisdom, and Strength. The two side niches Singing and Harmony. The fourth order exposes other statues of virtues and allegories. The great arch preserved in the risen Christ and the bezel on the sides of the Annunciation. At the top of the Eternal Father.

  • Artwork: Monument to Doge Nicolò Tron.
  • Artist/Author: Antonio Rizzo
  • Date: 1476
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Chancel, the left wall (number 15). See church plan.

 

Chapel of St John the Baptist

Basilica dei Frari Chapel of St John the Baptist

The work was commissioned to the master of the Florentine School, Donatello, and is the only masterpiece he left Venice. The long restoration completed in 1973 brought to light the original idea of the artist who instead were stacked two repainting. The statue is placed in the central compartment of the wooden altar, in the sides are the statues of Saints Zenobius and Genevieve. At the top, the Annunciation and the statue of the Risen Christ, above which stands the lily symbol of Florence. On the dais they are scenes from the Life of John the Baptist attributed to Andrea Schiavone. Under the altar, a wooden statue contains the relics of the Blessed Gentile da Matelica dei Frati Minori, who was martyred in Persia September 5, 1340.

  • Artwork: Wooden statue of John the Baptist.
  • Artist/Author: Donatello
  • Date: 1438
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Chapel of St John the Baptist (number 17). See church plan.

 

The Bernardo Chapel

Basilica dei Frari The Bernardo Chapel

Enthroned Madonna and Child with Saints Andrew and Nicholas of Bari, Paul and Peter. In 1482 the Bernardo Venetian family became the owner of this chapel and restored it. The triptych is signed and dated by the artist, Bartolomeo Vivarini. In the central compartment depicting the Virgin Enthroned with the Child on her knees; after the plague of 1631, this painting was considered miraculous and took the name of Madonna della Salute. In the side compartments, on the left, St. Andrew and St. Nicholas of Bari, and on the right, St. Paul and St. Peter. In the upper compartment is depicted Christ died, flanked by two angels in gilded wood. The altarpiece is set in a Renaissance setting attributed to Jacopo da Faenza.

  • Artwork: Virgin Enthroned with Child and Saints (polyptych).
  • Artist/Author: Bartolomeo Vivarini
  • Date: 1482
  • Artistic Technique: Painting on table.
  • Location: Bernardo Chapel (number 20). See church plan.

 

Triptych by Giovanni Bellini

Basilica dei Frari Triptych by Giovanni Bellini

The work was commissioned ten years before its implementation by the Pesaro family's (branch of san Benedetto), who had placed his own chapel in the apse of the sacristy. In the central compartment depicting the Virgin Enthroned with Child and two angels playing musical instruments, while in the sides are placed on the left, the figures of St. Peter and St. Nicholas of Bari, on the right, St. Mark and St. Benedict. The frame that holds the tables was probably designed by Bellini and carved by Jacopo da Faenza.

  • Artwork: Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints (triptych).
  • Artist/Author: Giovanni Bellini
  • Date: 1488
  • Artistic Technique: Painting on table.
  • Location: Sacristy, apse (number 21). See church plan.

 

Frari Chapter Hall

Basilica dei Frari Chapter Hall

The Chapter Hall was intended for the meeting of the brothers. The recent restoration has revealed the two columns placed at the center of the room. On the top right wall has a central door flanked by two three-light windows with double columns and Gothic arches that allow you to enjoy a magnificent view of the cloister and the convent of the Trinity, now seat of the Archivio di Stato.

The work of Paolo Veneziano, Madonna and Child, St Francis and St Elizabeth accompanying the doge and the dogaressa, is located on the opposite wall, within the pointed arch of the tomb of Doge Francesco Dandolo.

  • Artwork: Doge Dandolo presented to the Madonna.
  • Artist/Author: Paolo Veneziano
  • Date: 1339
  • Artistic Technique: Painting on table
  • Location: Chapter Hall (number 23). See church plan.

 

Frari right-hand transept

Basilica dei Frari Wall of right-hand transept

Equestrian monument to Paolo Savelli

Paolo Savelli was a roman prince, commander of the Venetian troops, died in Padua in 1405. The equestrian statue that overlooks the urn where he is buried appears to be the first of its kind made in Venice. The urn is attributed to the school of Dalle Masegne or Rinaldino di Francia.

  • Artwork: Equestrian monument to Paolo Savelli.
  • Artist/Author: Jacopo della Quercia
  • Date: fifteenth century
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Wall of right-hand transept, left (number 24). See church plan.

Monument to Benedetto Pesaro

The monument to Benedict Pesaro frames the entrance door to the sacristy with four columns of the composite order. On these set the cenotaph of glorious commanding general who had conquered the Greek islands of Lefkas and Kefalonia. On either side are the statues of Neptune (left) and Mars (right) works of Michelangelo Baccio da Montelupo.

  • Artwork: Monument to Benedetto Pesaro.
  • Artist/Author: Giovanni Battista Bregno
  • Date: 1503
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Wall of right-hand transept, door (number 24). See church plan.

Tomb of Beato Pacifico

The monument was erected to him by Senator Scipione Bon who sold it to the blessed Pacifico. On the urn represents the Descent of Christ into Limbo and the Resurrection while in the niches are placed the theological virtues.

  • Artwork: Tomb of Beato Pacifico.
  • Artist/Author: Nanni di Bartolo detto il Rosso
  • Date: 1427
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Wall of right-hand transept, right (number 24). See church plan.

 

Tomb of General Jacopo Marcello

Basilica dei Frari Tomb of General Jacopo Marcello

Jacopo Marcello was general captain of the Venetian fleet, and lost his life during the war of Gallipoli. The statue of the captain is placed over the elegant urn with floral scrolls and is flanked by two putti holding the coats of arms of his family. The urn is supported by three telamons and placed in a marble oval.

  • Artwork: Monument to Jacopo Marcello.
  • Artist/Author: Pietro Lombardo
  • Date: 1488
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Right transept (number 25). See church plan.

 

Altar of St. Catherine

Basilica dei Frari Altar of St. Catherine
  • Artwork: Martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria.
  • Artist/Author: Jacopo Negretti detto il Palma il Giovane
  • Date: 1590 - 95
  • Artistic Technique: Painting, oil on canvas.
  • Location: Altar of St. Catherine (number 26). See church plan.

 

Altar of St. Joseph of Copertino

Basilica dei Frari Altar of St. Joseph of Copertino

The altar took its present shape in 1753 when they were removed the statues and stucco by Alessandro Vittoria for keeping a painting by Giuseppe Nogari (St. Joseph of Cupertino in ecstasy).

Monument to Prince Almerico d'Este

The Prince of Modena Almerico d'Este was the commander of the French auxiliary troops in the war of Candia (1645-1669) and was commissioned by the Venetian Republic in 1666.

  • Artwork:Monument to Prince Almerico d'Este.
  • Artist/Author: Anonymous
  • Date: 1666
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Altar of St. Joseph of Copertino (number 27). See church plan.

St. Jerome

From Victoria are the two sibyls on the tympanum of the altar, the statues of St. Peter and Sant 'Andrea on the sides and the St. Jerome in the center.

  • Artwork: St. Jerome.
  • Artist/Author: Alessandro Vittoria
  • Date: 1564
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Altar of St. Joseph of Copertino (number 27). See church plan.

 

Altar of the Presentation

Basilica dei Frari Altar of the Presentation

The canvas bears the signature of the artist. The frescoes on the edge of the altar, in poor condition, representing the Eritrean Sibyl, the prophet Malachi, Faith and Hope.

  • Artwork: Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
  • Artist/Author: Giuseppe Porta detto il Salviati
  • Date: 1548
  • Artistic Technique: Painting, oil on canvas.
  • Location: Altar of the Presentation (number 28). See church plan.

 

Monument to Titian

Basilica dei Frari Monument to Titian

By the will of Titian himself who expressed a desire to be buried in the Basilica dei Frari, at the foot of the altar of the Crucifix next to the Pietà, his last work, now located at the Academy, Luigi and Pietro Zandomeneghi, disciples of Canova, executed this impressive memorial in which the artist was placed August 27, 1576. At the center of the monument is a statue of Titian crowned with laurel; next to him the universal nature, the genius of knowledge and statues of Painting, Sculpture, Graphic and Architecture. At the corners of the base the two emperors who have linked their name to the great painter: Charles V and Ferdinand I of Austria. Five reliefs reminiscent of the most important religious works of the supreme painter.

  • Artwork: Monument to Titian.
  • Artist/Author: Luigi e Pietro Zandomeneghi
  • Date: 1838-52
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Right aisle, the second altar (number 29). See church plan.

 

Titian's The Assumption

Basilica dei Frari Titian's The Assumption

The high altar was consecrated on February 13, 1469. The frame with the two fluted columns of the Corinthian order, was made in 1516 by raising superior of the convent of the Friars Germano Casale. On the entablature are the statues of the Risen Christ, St. Francis and St. Anthony of Padua works by Lorenzo Bregna. The altar table was separated from the complex in 1825.

The impressive altarpiece commissioned to Titian in 1516 by Friar Germano, prior of the convent of the Friars, aroused the delivery, two years later, severe embarrassment to the client and rather cold welcome. The traditional iconography of the assumption into heaven of the Virgin was in fact completely renovated. After a period of exposure to the Accademia Gallery, where he became one of the favorite and acclaimed paintings of the nineteenth century, Titian's masterpiece is back to its original location on the main altar of the Basilica August 13, 1945, where today you can admire in the exact conditions for which the artist intended.

  • Artwork: Titian's The Assumption.
  • Artist/Author: Tiziano Vecellio
  • Date: 1518
  • Artistic Technique: Painting, oil on canvas.
  • Location: Chancel (number 13). See church plan.

 

Internal Façade

Basilica dei Frari Internal façade

Monument to Alvise Pasqualigo (left)

The work was erected at the behest of the same Procurator of St. Mark was still alive.

  • Artwork: Monument to Alvise Pasqualigo.
  • Artist/Author: Lorenzo Bregno
  • Date: 1528
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Internal Façade, on the left (number 1). See church plan.

Monument to Gerolamo Garzoni (center)

The magnificent Baroque monument is dedicated to Senator Gerolamo Garzoni died in the siege of Negroponte in 1688. The strong figure of the Garzoni, armed and standing, being crowned by an angel among the statues of Venice and Religion.

  • Artwork: Monument to Gerolamo Garzoni.
  • Artist/Author: Anonymous
  • Date: 1688
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Internal Façade, on the center (number 1). See church plan.

Monument to Pietro Bernardo (right)

The late work of Tullio Lombardo is divided into two parts unrelated: at the bottom an elegant urn is adorned by exquisite bas-reliefs and on the sides of enrollment, Adam and Eve. Worthy of note is the head of Medusa and the eagle with spread wings. The upper part, adding by the children of the senator, Girolamo and Lorenzo, representing the deceased kneeling in front of the Redeemer that turns to St. Peter for recommend it.

  • Artwork: Monument to Pietro Bernardo.
  • Artist/Author: Tullio Lombardo
  • Date: 1538
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Internal Façade, on the right (number 1). See church plan.

 

Tomb of Doge Francesco Foscari

Basilica dei Frari Tomb of Doge Francesco Foscari

Francesco Foscari was one of the greatest doges of Venice, and in thirty-four years of government led the borders of the Republic to the river Adda and Ravenna, aided by the famous generals Carmagnola, Gattamelata and Colleoni. The lodge Foscari in the ducal palace, and the Palazzo Foscari, now a university, bearing his coat of arms, while the tomb in the Frari welcomes his remains. The monument is by Niccolò di Giovanni. The urn on which rests the doge is supported by four ornate corbels in the boxes by the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. The sides are St. Anthony of Padua and St. Mark. On the corners of the casket assist the doge the four cardinal virtues: Fortitude, Justice, Prudence and Temperance. Two warriors carry the shield doge.

  • Artwork: Monument to Doge Francesco Foscari (Chancel).
  • Artist/Author: Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino
  • Date: 1457 ca.
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Chancel, right wall (number 16). See church plan.

 

Altar of the Relics

Basilica dei Frari Altar of the Relics

The altar is baroque rich expression and contains one of the most remarkable relics of Venice: the Precious Blood of Christ. This relic, much venerated in the church of Santa Cristina of Constantinople, came into possession of Melchiorre Trevisan in 1479. Trevisan gave it to the Frari March 19, 1480 on the occasion of his return from the East. The date of construction of the altar is stated in the inscription engraved in black marble and placed at the base of the complex sculptural. The three bas-reliefs made by Cabianca in Carrara marble, representing the Crucifixion, the Deposition and Burial of Jesus Christ. In the two lower panes are placed angels with symbols of the Passion.

  • Artwork: Altar of the Relics.
  • Artist/Author: Francesco Penso called il Cabianca and Andrea Brustolon
  • Date: 1711
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture. Carrara marble, red gravel of Verona, Siena yellow and golden wood.
  • Location: Sacristy (number 22). See church plan.

 

Frari Choir

Basilica dei Frari Choir

The choir is made up of three rows of inlaid dossals and carved that ending with a shell painted and gilded surmounted by a pinnacle on which is placed a figure of angel and is closed externally by a marble dating back to 1475 which is placed the crucifix attributed to Andrea Verrocchio. The old choir of the Friars, the only remaining example in Venice in its original position and structure, is located between the fourth and sixth pillar of the nave. The work is signed, the head of the first stall towards the sacristy, by Marco Cozzi. The choir consists of 124 stalls spread over three orders: 50 upper order, 40 in the medium and 34 in the lower.

In 1475 the exterior front and side of the choir was surrounded with stones from Istria. It is divided into many bas-reliefs representing the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament. They represented the four doctors of the Church: St. Ambrose, St. Gregory the Great, St. Augustine and St. Jerome. Above the crown are two statues of eight apostles, St. Anthony and St. Francis, and the sides of the large crucifix attributed to Verrocchio, the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist. The two busts of San Bernardino and St. Louis of Anjou rest on two plates that hold the bow. These two and four doctors of the Church are the work of Pietro Lombardo and the rest is attributed to his workshop.

 

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