Venice Tourist Information

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

 

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 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.

 

Tomb to Doge Giovanni Pesaro

Tomb to Doge Giovanni Pesaro

The Pesaro family had as his burial chapel the apse of the sacristy, but only for one of them who was elected doge made this grand mausoleum. The project was realized by Baldassarre Longhena, marble statues by Melchior Bartel of Dresden while the two bronze skeletons and the two monsters placed under the doge's throne by Bernardo Falcone of Lugano.

  • Artwork: Monument to Giovanni Pesaro.
  • Artist/Author: Baldasarre Longhena, Melchior Barthel and Bernardo Falcone da Lugano.
  • Date: 1660-69
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Left aisle (number 4). See church plan.

 

Madonna of Ca’ Pesaro

Madonna of Ca Pesaro

The altar Pesaro given to a noble family in 1518, already in 1361, was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, which is why the altarpiece commissioned by Jacopo Pesaro in 1519, has the double task of illustrating the theme of Mary and glorify the family of the client. The Virgin is seated on a tall pedestal with a white veil that envelops even the child: it is foreshadowing of the funeral shroud that will cover both. Jacopo Pesaro is pictured on the left in prayer while behind him a soldier holding the banner of Pope Alexander VI and leans next to a turbaned turkish. It is the celebration of the naval victory at the Battle of Santa Maura (1503) by Pesaro, commander of the papal fleet, over the Ottoman navy. In forefront the portraits of his brothers Francesco, Antonio, Fantino and Giovanni and his nephew Leonardo, above of them San Francesco turns to the child while on the other hand, the figure of St. Peter.

  • Artwork: Pala Pesaro.
  • Artist/Author: Tiziano Vecellio.
  • Date: 1519-26
  • Artistic Technique: Painting, oil on canvas, 485 x 270 cm.
  • Location: Left aisle (number 5). See church plan.

 

Tomb of Bishop Jacopo Pesaro

Tomb of Bishop Jacopo Pesaro

The monument was erected by the same Jacopo. The inscription indicates the ability to defeat enemies, but also himself.

  • Artwork: Monument to Jacopo Pesaro.
  • Artist/Author: Lombardo workshop.
  • Date: 1524
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture.
  • Location: Left aisle (number 6). See church plan.

 

Monument to Generosa Orsini e Maffeo Zen

Monument to Generosa Orsini e Maffeo Zen

Some historians attribute the elegant urn to the work of Antonio da Verona, rather than the hand of Pietro Lombardo.

  • Artwork: Monument to Generosa Orsini e Maffeo Zen.
  • Artist/Author: Pietro Lombardo (attr.)
  • Date: 15th century
  • Artistic Technique: Sculpture
  • Location: Left transept (number 8). 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 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.

 

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