Cultural Travels from Home: The Frari Basilica in Venice

INTRODUCTION

In our series of online webinars, we visit artists, art historians and guides in cultural cities around the world and enjoy an hour’s guided tour, museum visit or demonstration. The visits are live and interactive, allowing you to ask questions. These webinars will enable you to gain special access to sites, studios and galleries whilst at the same time providing a wonderful opportunity to travel virtually from home, no matter your location.

Today we are thrilled to have been given permission to film the world’s first livestream broadcast direct from the Frari Basilica in Venice which will be led by Dr Luisella Romeo, one of the city’s most authoritative and popular guides. All bookings will include a donation to the church or “virtual entrance ticket”.

SUMMARY

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the most important and beautiful churches in Venice, containing many masterpieces of art and sculpture which never leave the city. These include Titian’s recently restored Pesaro Altarpiece and the high altarpiece dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, which has recently been unveiled following a programme of conservation. Originally constructed in the 13^th century as the main Franciscan friary in Venice (hence its name), the Frari was expanded over the years and endowed with numerous unique and priceless works of art, many of which are dedicated, like the church, to the Virgin Mary. These include Titian’s magnificent Assumption, Giovanni Bellini’s Frari Triptych and Vivarini’s Madonna and Child with Saints.

The church also contains the tombs of many notable Venetians including Titian, the composer Claudio Monteverdi and the sculptor Antonio Canova, as well as works by visiting artists such as Donatello whose powerful sculpture of St John the Baptist can be found in the chapel of the Florentine community.

It is a rare privilege to see works in the locations for which they were intended and our live tour will guide us through the history of these masterpieces and their historical context. We are most grateful to Father Francesco and the church administration for giving us permission to bring you this special tour and look forward to welcoming you.

The tour is interactive, so you will be able to put questions to our guide throughout the visit. Our events use the most up-to-date technology to provide you with the best possible virtual experience.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

This is a live event starting at 11.00am (UK time).  It will last approximately one hour including interactive Q&A. Tune in live from anywhere in the world, or if you cannot participate live, you will automatically be sent a recording soon after the end of the session enabling you to watch later that day or during the following 2 days. Please note, the recording is only available to those who have not been able to participate live, and it is not possible to purchase a recording after booking has closed.

Booking closes the day before the event is streamed. Please refer to the Further Information panel below.

Art History in Focus is proud to have initiated the concept of online tours in many major European museums and historic sites. We are delighted to have developed these collaborations which continue to raise important funds for the galleries and cultural sites as well as those working in the cultural sector.