The Ca' d'Oro, or Palazzo Santa Sofia, is a palace on the
Grand Canal in
Venice
Venice ( ; ; , formerly ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals; portions of the city are li ...
, northern
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
. Ca' d'Oro or Cadoro translates to "House of Gold" or "Golden House" in English because of the
gilt and
polychrome
Polychrome is the "practice of decorating architectural elements, sculpture, etc., in a variety of colors." The term is used to refer to certain styles of architecture, pottery, or sculpture in multiple colors.
When looking at artworks and ...
external decorations that once adorned its walls.
It was designed by Marino Contarini and later restored by Baron Giorgio Franchetti.
In 1927, the building was converted into a museum and since then has been known as the
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro.
The Ca' d'Oro has long been regarded as the best-surviving palazzo in
Venetian Gothic architecture
Venetian Gothic is the particular form of Italian Gothic architecture typical of Venice, originating in local building requirements, with some influence from Byzantine architecture, and some from Islamic architecture, reflecting Venice's trading ...
, retaining all the most characteristic features, despite some losses. On the facade, the
loggia
In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior Long gallery, gallery or corridor, often on an upper level, sometimes on the ground level of a building. The corridor is open to the elements because its outer wall is only parti ...
-like window group of closely spaced small columns, with heavy
tracery
Tracery is an architectural device by which windows (or screens, panels, and vaults) are divided into sections of various proportions by stone ''bars'' or ''ribs'' of moulding. Most commonly, it refers to the stonework elements that support th ...
and
quatrefoil
A quatrefoil (anciently caterfoil) is a decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is found in art, architecture, heraldry and traditional ...
openings above, use the formula from the
Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace (''Doge'' pronounced ; ; ) is a palace built in Venetian Gothic architecture, Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy. The palace included government offices, a jail, and th ...
that had become iconic. There is also Byzantine-inspired decoration along the roofline and patterning in fancy colored stone to the flat wall surfaces. The smaller windows show a variety of forms with an
ogee
An ogee ( ) is an object, element, or curve—often seen in architecture and building trades—that has a serpentine- or extended S-shape (Sigmoid curve, sigmoid). Ogees consist of a "double curve", the combination of two semicircle, semicircula ...
arch capped with a relief ornament.
The third act of
Amilcare Ponchielli
Amilcare Ponchielli (, ; 31 August 1834 – 16 January 1886) was an Italian opera composer, best known for his opera La Gioconda (opera), ''La Gioconda''. He was married to the soprano Teresina Brambilla.
Life and work
Born in Paderno Fasolaro ( ...
's opera, ''
La Gioconda,'' is set in the palace.
During the
2019 Venice flood, water levels reached the top of the wellhead in the inner courtyard.
Francis H. Kimball, the famed American architect behind landmarks like the Empire State Building, used the Ca' d'Oro as inspiration for the
Montauk Club, a social club in Brooklyn, New York.
Patron and commission
The patron of the building was Marino Contarini of the
Contarini, well-respected noble Venetian family who had served Venice over the years with the election of eight different
Doges between 1043 and 1676. Marino Contarini used the building of the Ca' d'Oro, as a way to assert his family's position in Venetian society.
This message was also conveyed as the palace was built not far from the Rialto Bridge on the left bank of Grand Canal of Venice, which was and remains the main thoroughfare in Venice.
The architects of the Ca d'Oro were
Giovanni Bon and his son
Bartolomeo Bon.
The Ca' d'Oro was built between 1421 and 1437 for Marino Contarini upon the foundations of a building that he had received through his marriage to Soradamore Zeno, which had been part of an old palace belonging to the Zeno family.
As the patron of the new palace, Contarini was in essence the building's main designer, as he was the one who oversaw the entire project.
He also kept notes and accounts of the whole process, which have survived throughout the centuries, offering scholars amazing insight into the building's construction.
Architects
He contracted two main architects to execute his plan for the palace: the Venetian architect and sculptor (along with his son
Bartolomeo Bon), and another architect-sculptor,
Matteo Raverti, who came from Milan.
Matteo Raverti's notable contributions to the Ca' d'Oro include the
tracery
Tracery is an architectural device by which windows (or screens, panels, and vaults) are divided into sections of various proportions by stone ''bars'' or ''ribs'' of moulding. Most commonly, it refers to the stonework elements that support th ...
of the main
loggia
In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior Long gallery, gallery or corridor, often on an upper level, sometimes on the ground level of a building. The corridor is open to the elements because its outer wall is only parti ...
and the
ogee
An ogee ( ) is an object, element, or curve—often seen in architecture and building trades—that has a serpentine- or extended S-shape (Sigmoid curve, sigmoid). Ogees consist of a "double curve", the combination of two semicircle, semicircula ...
-arched
tympanum over the land entrance.
Giovanni Bon and Bartolomeo Bon are also known for their contribution to the main ceremonial door of the
Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace (''Doge'' pronounced ; ; ) is a palace built in Venetian Gothic architecture, Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy. The palace included government offices, a jail, and th ...
, the so-called Porta della Carta, but was called Porta Aurea because of how much gold they had added.
Matteo Raverti was also known for his work as a sculptor for the
Milan Cathedral
Milan Cathedral ( ; ), or Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary (), is the cathedral church of Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Dedicated to the Nativity of Mary, Nativity of St. Mary (), it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdi ...
.
Description and layout
One of the Ca' d'Oro's distinguishing features is its asymmetrical facade, designed to maximize light in rooms where side windows were impractical due to the proximity of neighboring buildings.
The building's
atrium (''androne'')—a large open hall located near the waterfront—is accessed directly from the canal through the multi-arched loggia.
The atrium was historically used for receiving and exporting shipments, reflecting the common practice among noble Venetian families who derived their wealth from trade.
Above the atrium is the ''gran salone'' or main reception hall, that occupies the ''
piano nobile
( Italian for "noble floor" or "noble level", also sometimes referred to by the corresponding French term, ) is the architectural term for the principal floor of a '' palazzo''. This floor contains the main reception and bedrooms of the house ...
'' (noble floor) and is fronted by the most ornate of the three loggias, featuring intricate Gothic
quatrefoil
A quatrefoil (anciently caterfoil) is a decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is found in art, architecture, heraldry and traditional ...
tracery attributed to Matteo Raverti.
The upper stories housed private living quarters for the family.
The layout prioritizes privacy and hierarchy, with the family’s private spaces were elevated above the more public reception and trading areas.
The palace has (like other similar buildings in Venice) a small inner courtyard. The neighboring palace is the
Palazzo Giustinian Pesaro. The central courtyard is accessible from the gondola landing and provides light and ventilation to the interior spaces.
The courtyard contains a central wellhead. Additionally, a small garden area within the courtyard adds to the palace's aesthetic and functional appeal.
Architectural features of the main façade
Marino Contarini had the building constructed in the style of
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire, or Eastern Roman Empire, usually dated from 330 AD, when Constantine the Great established a new Roman capital in Byzantium, which became Constantinople, until the Fall of Cons ...
, mixed with the popular
Gothic style of this time, as well as elements of
Islamic
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
design.
Having for centuries been part of the
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived History of the Roman Empire, the events that caused the ...
, Venice turned to its Byzantine history, which spanned from the classical period to the more recent medieval era, while Florence, Siena, and Milan called more upon their Greco-Roman traditions.
The facade is divided into three distinct stories: a lower loggia (covered corridor), a middle balcony, and an upper balcony.
Other nearby buildings in this style are
Palazzo Barbaro and the
Palazzo Giustinian. This linear style favoured by the Venetian architects was not superseded by
Venetian Renaissance architecture until the end of the 15th century, or later.
The arches, windows, and loggia of the palace provide a variety of decorations that make it one of the most striking palazzo in Venice. Vertical emphasis is created by each level of the façade becoming more ornate as it reaches the top while horizontal emphasis is created by the
balustrades on the balconies and the large
cornice
In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian ''cornice'' meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative Moulding (decorative), moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, ar ...
at the roofline.
Long rows of arches and windows face the canal that provide an abundance of natural lighting in the interior.
The lower loggia contains a muti-arched entrance made up of
pointed arches that opens up into the canal with a
gondola
The gondola (, ; , ) is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is typically propelled by a gondolier, who uses a rowing oar, which is not fastened to the hull, in a scul ...
landing. The lower loggia's muti-arched entrance is made up of a central wide arch and a narrower arch flanking each side.
The landing leads into a courtyard with a
wellhead, stairwell, and a small garden.
On the ground floor, a recessed colonnaded
loggia
In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior Long gallery, gallery or corridor, often on an upper level, sometimes on the ground level of a building. The corridor is open to the elements because its outer wall is only parti ...
gives access to the entrance hall (''
portego
Portego ("porch" in Venetian dialect) is a characteristic compositional element of the Venetian civil buildings built during the years of the Republic of Venice. The portego is similar to a reception hall but has peculiar features.
History
The por ...
de mezo'') directly from the canal. Above this colonnade is the enclosed balcony of the principal salon on the ''
piano nobile
( Italian for "noble floor" or "noble level", also sometimes referred to by the corresponding French term, ) is the architectural term for the principal floor of a '' palazzo''. This floor contains the main reception and bedrooms of the house ...
''. The columns and arches of this balcony have
capitals which in turn support a row of
quatrefoil
A quatrefoil (anciently caterfoil) is a decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is found in art, architecture, heraldry and traditional ...
windows; above this balcony is another enclosed balcony or loggia of a similar yet lighter design.
The scalloped cusping of the pointed arches allows for a
contrapuntal
In music theory, counterpoint is the relationship of two or more simultaneous Part (music), musical lines (also called voices) that are harmonically dependent on each other, yet independent in rhythm and Pitch contour, melodic contour. The term ...
effect, while the window's tracery patterns on the right side of the palace reflect Gothic elements.
The uppermost level contains a row of pinnacles, which are an extension of the quatrefoil patterns below.
Made for purely an aesthetic purpose, the balls on each lobe of the
pinnacle
A pinnacle is an architectural element originally forming the cap or crown of a buttress or small turret, but afterwards used on parapets at the corners of towers and in many other situations. The pinnacle looks like a small spire. It was main ...
were covered with golden leaves.
The palazzo got its name from the façade's original use of white and pale red stone with golden gilded accents.
Gold was added to the building with Contarini's painter Zoane di Franza in 1431.
To enhance the aesthetic appeal, the façade was crafted with stone from
Istria
Istria ( ; Croatian language, Croatian and Slovene language, Slovene: ; Italian language, Italian and Venetian language, Venetian: ; ; Istro-Romanian language, Istro-Romanian: ; ; ) is the largest peninsula within the Adriatic Sea. Located at th ...
that was treated with white lead and oil to create a marble-like sheen, while red Verona marble details were oiled to bring out their rich tonalities.
Architectural elements such as the parapet balls, window finials, capitals, and moldings were all gilded, adding to the luxurious appearance.
This combination of practical design and opulent decoration underscores the dual purpose of the Ca' d'Oro as both a functional space and a display of wealth and status.
Over time, sun exposure dulled the white and pale red stone has worn away and the facade's gilded elements are no longer evident.
In fact, by 1600, no more gold decoration remained on the exterior, but with the palace's golden façade was already so well-known that it retained the title of Ca' d'Oro.
Restoration
The restoration of the Ca' d'Oro was led by Baron Giorgio Franchetti until his death on December 17, 1923.
Franchetti was greatly attuned to detail and wanted to duplicate the technique of the previous accomplished architects.
This led him to entrust with assisting with this restoration, and Forlati was the one to assume leadership of the project after Franchetti's death.
Forlati's assistant, Antonio Nardo, was also entrusted with this task by Franchetti, who requested that Nardo be recognized with the title of Conservator of the Ca' d'Oro.
During his time working on the restoration of the building, Giorgio Franchetti was able to restore parts removed under the ownership of Marie Taglioni.
These pieces notably included the red Verona marble well-head that was sculpted by Bartolomeo Bon.
Franchetti also took it upon himself to compose the mosaic pavement in the entrance hall that was made out of Grecian marble and red marble from Verona.
Along with these features, he also had the walls individually and uniquely carved.
Although the ground floor was originally used for utilitarian function, Franchetti had marble facing added that concealed this role.
Along with his project of restorating of the Ca' d'Oro, Baron Giorgio Franchetti donated the building to the public in 1916 and it was converted into a museum (see Provenance section below).
Provenance
Following the
fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, the palace changed ownership several times. In 1846, Alessandro Trubetzkoi purchased the palace, which was in a ruinous state. Trubetzkoi gifted the palace to ballet dancer
Marie Taglioni, who sold notable architectural features from the building.
Franchetti would also restore the palace after the reckless renovation of the architect, Trubetzkoi, which resulted in his imprisonment under charges of vandalism. In the end, many of the Gothic features, including the stairway of the inner courtyard and the balconies which overlooked the courtyard, were removed.
In 1894, the palace was acquired by its last owner, baron
Giorgio Franchetti. Some of the architectural elements that had been sold by Marie Taglioni were recovered by Franchetti, such as the
red Verona marble wellhead by Bartolomeo Bon.
Throughout his lifetime, he amassed an important art collection and personally oversaw its extensive restoration, including the reconstruction of the stairway and the Cosmatesque courtyard with ancient marble. In 1916, Franchetti bequeathed the Ca' d'Oro to the Italian State. It is now open to the public as a gallery:
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro.
Museum
The gallery houses the collection of works of art collected by Giorgio Franchetti in his life. Following the donation to the Italian State in 1916 and in preparation for the museum, the Franchetti collection was accompanied by some state collections from which most of the bronzes and sculptures on display come from, as well as numerous Venetian and Flemish paintings.
Among the most valuable works are the San Sebastiano by
Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna (, ; ; September 13, 1506) was an Italian Renaissance painter, a student of Ancient Rome, Roman archeology, and son-in-law of Jacopo Bellini.
Like other artists of the time, Mantegna experimented with Perspective (graphical), pe ...
and the Portrait of Marcello Durazzo by
Antoon van Dyck.
In addition to the exhibition rooms, the museum houses various laboratories for the conservation and restoration of works of art.
File:Venezia Ca' d'Oro Innenhof 12.jpg, The courtyard
File:Venezia Ca' d'Oro Innenhof 07.jpg, Cosmatesque floor in the ''portego''
File:Ca d Oro Cortile e portale Venezia.jpg, Rear doorway, to the street
File:Ca' d'oro, cappella, coffitto a cassettoni con decori a rilievo, XV sec..JPG, 15th-century ceiling
File:The Casa d Oro Venice Ruskin.jpg, Pencil and watercolour by John Ruskin
John Ruskin (8 February 1819 20 January 1900) was an English polymath a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as art, architecture, Critique of politic ...
. (1845)
File:Ca' d' Oro - panoramio.jpg, Canal entrance during a flood
File:Ca' d'oro, una sala al secondo piano 02.JPG, An exhibition hall on the second floor of the building
See also
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List of buildings and structures in Venice
References
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External links
Galleria Giorgio FranchettiSatellite image from Google MapsCa' d'Oro on Smarthistory
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ca' d'Oro
Buildings and structures completed in 1430
Art museums and galleries in Venice
Historic house museums in Italy
House of Contarini
Museums in Venice
Palaces in Sestiere Cannaregio
Palaces on the Grand Canal (Venice)
Gothic palaces in Venice
National museums of Italy
1827 establishments in Italy