Venice, Fortuny and the Belle Époque

Palazzo Fortuny, Venice

In the years which saw Venice go from Austrian rule to its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, the cultural debate and transformations that the “immutable city” underwent would define some fundamental and compelling historical moments.

The Austrians continued the work started by the French to modernise the urban fabric, filling in canals and demolishing old churches. New bridges were built and the first vaporetti gradually began substituting gondolas. The palaces, which had been emptied of their riches, were transformed into large hotels, rented to private tenants or sold off to wealthy foreign families or famous intellectuals, who would set up home in this unique city.

The Spanish artist Mariano Fortuny Madrazo moved into the fifteenth-century Palazzo Pesaro-Orfei, transforming it into an extraordinary and innovative workshop for his experimentations and studies of stagecraft. He also created magnificent fabrics and dyeing techniques inspired by the Eastern-influenced forms so typical of Venice.

Mariano Fortuny Madrazo

Our visit will be a journey through time, with memorable glimpses of palaces and intriguing anecdotes, to then be immersed in the unique atmosphere of a great artist, whose home can be visited during temporary visual art exhibitions.

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: €150,00

Entrance tickets:

• Fortuny Palace: Adults €12,00 – Students €10,00

In accordance with the aims of our statute, a percentage of the tour fee will go towards a fund dedicated to the safeguarding and restoration of minor art in Venice.