Dear Friends,
Save Venice is a story about people. Fifty years ago, a group of Americans devoted to Venice held a meeting in Boston. They were art experts and enthusiasts: Professor John McAndrew of Wellesley College, his wife Betty Bartlett McAndrew, Professor Sydney Freedberg of Harvard University, and five of their friends. That day they officially founded Save Venice Inc., dedicated to preserving the art and architecture of Venice, a city still on its knees from the terrible acqua alta of November 1966.
On that day in October, 1971, they made a promise to Venice and its citizens, the promise to work alongside Venetians and many of the best art restorers in the world to do all that they could to preserve for future generations the miracle that is this city upon the water.
This promise was an act of faith. These idealistic Americans had faith that what had been created centuries earlier and passed down to us was worthy of being preserved, indeed was essential to preserve. Above all, they were convinced that decisive actions, generous donations, and scientific expertise could make a difference.
Over the last 50 years, Save Venice has never forgotten our promise to Venice and the Venetians. Following the exceptional high tides of 2019 and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have continued to raise millions of dollars to fund vital conservation efforts. The organization has sponsored the conservation of entire churches, including Santa Maria dei Miracoli and San Sebastiano, as well as hundreds of paintings and sculptures in the churches, museums, and institutions throughout the city. We have helped organize and fund exhibitions in Venice, and we have published books on the history and art of the city and Veneto region.
Hence, the history of Save Venice is also the history of the hundreds of buildings, paintings, sculptures, books, maps, prints, drawings, textiles, and many other precious works of art that have been preserved from the ravages of time and from the two great enemies of this city: water and salt. I believe that in our next fifty years of activity we will be able to do even more. This city and its citizens are the custodians of one of the most important artistic patrimonies in the world, and it is an honor for us at Save Venice to help them in this effort. There is a lot more work to accomplish. And together, we will do it.
As Chairman of Save Venice and on behalf of our dedicated Board of Directors and staff, I extend my most heartfelt thanks to you, our supporters, for making our work possible.
Frederick Ilchman
Chairman, Save Venice
133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.
133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.