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VENICE: Bellini to Titian

A new display of Venetian paintings in the collection.

Room 29: Redisplaying Venetian paintings

 

Let us know how you'd like to experience the art of Venice.

This summer, Room 29 is a space for experimenting. 

With Venetian paintings as our subject, we'd like to hear your feedback on the way we display and provide information about our paintings.

You can find out about the paintings by following our themed tours listed below on the page. Take one or all and then let us know what you think. We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions.

This redisplay of Venetian Renaissance pictures in Room 29 celebrates the major refurbishment of this room, made possible through the generous support of the Wolfson Foundation.

Painting in Renaissance Venice

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Republic of Venice was one of the wealthiest and most culturally diverse city states in Europe. 

Its merchant fleet dominated Mediterranean commerce and trade. Its influence spread from Northern Europe to the Turkish Ottoman Empire and beyond. Venice was ruled by an elite class of patricians rather than a hereditary court, which secured long-standing political stability to the region 

The Republic’s cosmopolitan culture fostered astonishing creative activity. Situated on the water, the city of Venice was an environment of shimmering light and ever-shifting colours. This informed its painters who, with access to the best imported pigments, developed new means of applying and nuancing colour to render the effects of atmosphere and texture. They further benefitted from a wide variety of patrons, including the government, religious confraternities, and a learned aristocracy.  

From Bellini and Mantegna to Bassano and Titian, explore the development of painting in 'La Serenissima' through the Gallery’s exceptional collection of Venetian paintings.

 

Take the tours of Room 29

Depicting Women in Venetian Painting

From Madonnas and ‘belle donne’ to classical heroines and biblical saints, images of women proliferated in Renaissance Venice. 

Find out more

The Venetian landscape

Pioneering the life-like rendition of landscape in European art.

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Artists travelling to Venice

Renaissance Venice was a magnet for artists from across Italy and beyond. Why did painters travel to the city?

Find out more

Help us by taking a short survey
After taking a journey through Room 29, help us by taking a short survey
Your insights are invaluable in enhancing the Gallery experience for everyone
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A poet’s response to Titian’s 'Diana and Callisto'

Watch ‘For Phillip II, King of Spain’ performed by Maz Hedgehog.

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Go behind the scenes of the room's refurbishment
Follow the story of Room 29's transformation made possible through the generous support of the Wolfson Foundation.
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