Hotel Giorgione tells the story of 19th-century Venetian painting.
Fifty works, including paintings and watercolors, tell the story of Venice in the exhibition dedicated to Alessandro Milesi in the halls of Hotel Giorgione in Venice, commissioned by the Dolcetti family to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of Venice. In the halls of this historic residence, an exhibition takes us on a journey through the landscapes of Venice, the Lagoon, the places of daily life, the markets and small squares, and the citizens—both common folk and the bourgeoisie—portrayed in their everyday lives.
Portraits and scenes of Venetian life captured by the delicate and discreet gaze of Venetian and regional artists who marked an artistic era, that of Verismo, a movement far from the Parisian avant-garde, born right here in Venice.
A “way of painting” evident in the exhibition at Hotel Giorgione featuring works by Alessandro Milesi, one of the most renowned artists of the period, and other painters: Eugenio De Blaas, Vincenzo De Stefani, Emma Ciardi, Gian Luciano Sormani, Oreste Da Molin, Pietro Fragiacomo, Alberto Prosdocimi, and Leonardo Cominotto.
Art runs in the family
The living soul of Hotel Giorgione is the artistic wealth within the family history. Indeed, the exhibition curated by Luisa Turchi is enriched by the painting collection of Matilde Scarpa Dolcetti, the grandmother of the current owner.
It is she, the beautiful young woman with brown hair and a sweet smile, who poses for the painter Alessandro Milesi. It is a new approach for portraiture of the time: the fast, full-bodied brushstrokes highlight the details of the wide white dress adorned with a large black ribbon around the neck, while her hair, gathered in a bun, is held by a pin with a silver pearl.
Also by Milesi is the Venditrice di zucca (The Pumpkin Seller), a work that, more than any other, captures the personality and character of its subjects, regardless of social background. It is a style that made the painter famous abroad as well, leading him to receive the gold medal at the 1890 Boston Exhibition.
A section of the exhibition is dedicated to ceramics and another family figure, Giacomo Dolcetti (born 1893), a painter, decorator, and ceramicist who opened a ceramics factory in the heart of Venice in the 1920s, bearing witness to the tradition of Venetian potters and “bochaleri”.
Dolcetti entrusted the artistic direction of the factory to Giancarlo Polidori, who brought in artists of the caliber of Guido Cadorin and Vittorio Zecchin. This production, featuring strong and characteristic colors, was appreciated by Gabriele D’Annunzio, who commissioned boxes for his gifts to Eleonora Duse, which are now kept at the Vittoriale. On display are floral plates, vases, jewelry boxes, and cups in bright, vibrant colors.
On display in the Billiard Room is also a Libro dei Ricordi (Memory Book) featuring photographs of the family and well-known figures of the time, such as Countess Morosini Rombo and members of the Levi and De Blaas families.
Hotel Giorgione in Venice
The hotel is a meeting point for travelers and Venetians alike. A tradition of hospitality that is the result of the dedication to guests by the generations that have succeeded one another in managing the hotel. A story of a family and individuals who have brought precious works of art into the palace, creating a magical feeling for guests of being at home, surrounded by art and beauty.
Located along the main tourist routes, just a few meters from Strada Nuova but in a quiet and very Venetian position, this 4-star hotel is the only one in Venice to have a private outdoor swimming pool, allowing guests to enjoy a moment of refreshment and relaxation while remaining in the city.
The exhibition on Alessandro Milesi and painting between the 19th and 20th centuries at Hotel Giorgione is a historical-artistic journey that deserves a visit for its originality. Amidst velvets and Murano glass chandeliers, one can step back in time and imagine the poetry and prestige of living in a wonderful city like Venice.
Alessandro Milesi and the Dolcetti family between the 19th and 20th centuries
Hotel Giorgione
Cannaregio, Calle Larga dei Proverbi, 4587
Tel: +39 041 5225810
www.hotelgiorgione.com
info@hotelgiorgione.com
The photographs are by Settimo Cannatella for Venezia da Vivere.
