A Historic Venetian Palace Featured in a Monet Painting Is on the Market
The centuries-old property appears in the French artist’s 1908 work, Venice, Palazzo Dario
Located in the heart of Venice, Italy, is a newly-listed historic palace that is featured in Claude Monet’s 1908 painting Venice, Palazzo Dario. The palazzo is situated on the most prestigious part of the Grand Canal, stretching from the Accademia Bridge to the Salute Church and the Bacino di San Marco. Additionally, it’s located near notable cultural institutions, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Francois Pinault’s Punta della Dogana Museum of Contemporary Art.
Palazzo Dario was remodeled in the late 1400s by Pietro Lombardo for aristocrat Giovanni Dario, who served as the secretary to the Venetian senate. Dario, who was also a diplomat and merchant, helped negotiate a peace agreement with the Ottomans, resulting in a financial reward from the Serenissima. He then used this money to commission the construction of Palazzo Dario, which was built on a pre-existing Gothic palace.
The structure’s facade features circular polychrome marble inlays made of Pietra d’Istria. This oriental-inspired design element is said to be credited to Dario’s trips to Egypt and the Middle East. Lombardo translated this aesthetic into a Venice-worthy structure. As such, the front facade echoes the Renaissance architectural style, while the rear facade boasts Gothic trefoil arches, a loggia terrace, and numerous chimneys.
The palazzo underwent a significant renovation in the late 1800s, renewing the interior in a more Renaissance-worthy style. The four-story dwelling features a ground floor, two noble floors, and a third floor with bedrooms. The rear of the ground floor leads to a garden, as well as a large hall with a well made of red marble, a sizable fireplace, and a marble staircase. On the second floor are Bevilacqua fabrics and antique Murano chandeliers, while the third floor features bedrooms with wainscoting and the aforementioned loggia terrace, overlooking the idyllic garden.
The 10,764-square-foot villa is listed with Arnaldo Fusello of Christie’s International Real Estate.