Cultural Travels from Home: Venice and the History of Silk

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.

Join us today for a live broadcast from Venice’s Luigi Bevilacqua textile factory and learn about the fascinating history of silk and weaving in the Venetian Republic. The factory will open its doors especially for us, and we will enjoy a live guided tour in the company of expert historian Dr Luisella Romeo, one of the city’s most authoritative and popular guides. All bookings will include a donation / “virtual entrance ticket”.

SUMMARY

In the 18th century Venice was a capital of entertainment and pleasure. Fashion, but also furniture, required expensive silks and textiles and the city would have pulsated to the sound of hundreds of looms, as thousands of men and women busied themselves weaving colourful silk fabrics. Connections to Asia via the Silk Road were key and the silk weavers’ guilds also realised how collaborations with experts from different parts of the Italian peninsula would improve production quality and variety.

Near one of the most beautiful squares in Venice, campo San Zandegolà, lies the Luigi Bevilacqua factory, founded in 1875, the only company that continues to employ the most ancient Venetian traditions of hand-woven fabrics, using ancient looms which previously belonged to the silk guild of the Republic of Venice. We will see the weavers in action and learn about the ancient techniques that they employ to create exquisite velvet fabrics today, for suppliers including modern fashion designers Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana.

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.

You can visit the website of the Luigi Bevilacqua factory by clicking here.

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.