Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto

In the first half of the 18th century frescoes and paintings by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Francesco Fontebasso and Carpoforo Tencalla were commissioned by Pietro Barbarigo.

On the occasion of Gregorio Barbarigo's marriage with the keen and cultured Caterina Sagredo, in 1739, the greatest artists of the time were called to embellish the palace in both its parts, which had been unified by then.

In 1741 was hired the Ferrarese quadraturist Mengozzi Colonna, who painted the domestic chapel located in a recess of the building and hidden by two wooden leaves.

Gianbattista Tiepolo started his work here in 1741, painting the monochromes and two of the overdoors that frame the central canvas, "The triumph of Virtue and Nobility over Ignorance".

This whole cycle is influenced by the neoclassical trend that conquered the whole city during that period, through its ornamental motives, ancient-looking sculptures, sarcophagi, amphorae and vases, together with the "Olympic grace" of its figures.

Next to the two female figures representing Virtue and Nobility there is a young page holding a drape of their vest: it is probably a portrait of the painter's son, Giuseppe Maria.

Musica a Palazzo, a cultural association of classical musicians, has leased the piano nobile since 2005 and uses it for small-scale opera productions.

View of the Palazzo Corner and the Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. The pink building in the middle is the Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto.
The facade of Palazzo Barbarigo-Minotto on the Grand Canal of Venice.
The so-called "Tiepolo's Room", almost entirely decorated by the Venetian Master.
The 20th century copy of Tiepolo's "Triumph of Virtue over Ignorance" (1745), oil on canvas. The original painting is now part of Cà Rezzonico's collection.
The Alcove with its rich stuccos, photographed during a performance of Verdi's " Traviata ", by the ensemble of "Musica a Palazzo".