Introduction Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica located in the Dorsoduro sestiere of Venice, Italy. It stands on the narrow finger of Punta della Dogana, between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal, at the Bacino di San Marco, making the church visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The Salute is part of the parish of the Gesuati and is the most recent of the so-called plague churches.
The Museum Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Venice, Italy)
Introduction
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica located in the Dorsoduro sestiere of Venice, Italy. It stands on the narrow finger of Punta della Dogana, between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal, at the Bacino di San Marco, making the church visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The Salute is part of the parish of the Gesuati and is the most recent of the so-called plague churches.
History
In 1630, Venice experienced an unusually devastating outbreak of the plague. As a votive offering for the city's deliverance from the pestilence, the Republic of Venice vowed to build and dedicate a church to Our Lady of Health. The church was designed in the then fashionable Baroque style by Baldassare Longhena, who studied under the architect Vincenzo Scamozzi. Construction began in 1631. Most of the objects of art housed in the church bear references to the Black Death.
Artworks
The Salute houses several important works of art, including Titian's "Assumption of the Virgin" and Tintoretto's "Last Supper". The dome of the Salute was an important addition to the Venice skyline and soon became emblematic of the city, appearing in artworks both by locals, such as Canaletto and Francesco Guardi, and visitors, such as J. M. W. Turner and John Singer Sargent.
Conservation
Save Venice Inc., a U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of art and architecture and the preservation of cultural heritage sites in Venice, Italy, has sponsored several restorations of art and architecture in the Salute, including the cleaning and restoration of Titian's "Assumption of the Virgin" and Tintoretto's "Last Supper".
Conclusion
The Salute is an important example of Baroque architecture and a testament to the resilience of the Venetian people. Its artworks, including Titian's "Assumption of the Virgin" and Tintoretto's "Last Supper", are some of the most celebrated in Venice. The conservation efforts of Save Venice Inc. ensure that these treasures will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Santa Maria della Salute
Save Venice Inc.
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