Lead support for the conservation treatment of the Lando Chapel generously provided by an Anonymous Donor in thanks to San Sebastiano. Additional support from Joseph O. Rubinelli, Jr. and Forrest Mars.

The 1990s conservation treatment of the majolica tiles was made possible with partial funding from Countess Angelica Alverà Bortolotto, Count Mario Alverà, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bareiss

The Chapel of the Virgin Annunciate, also known as the Lando Chapel, is located in the church of San Sebastiano, to the left of the presbytery and just a few feet away from Paolo Veronese’s tomb. Marco Lando, the grandson of Girolamo Lando, the Patriarch of Constantinople, acquired the chapel on March 1st, 1531. The chapel was transferred as a dowry to Marco’s daughter, Bianca, when she married Daniele Vitturi in 1542 and remained on the property of the Vitturi family until the relatives of doge Carlo Ruzzini took it over. The chapel was once known for its colorful majolica tile floor dating to 1510 and installed on the chapel floor by the Lando family between 1531 and 1542.

Learn More about the majolica floor of the Lando Chapel

Other artworks now in the chapel date to the 17^th and 18^th centuries, including the altarpiece of the Annunciation by an anonymous painter, and canvases by Matteo Ingoli (c. 1586–1631): the Flight Into Egypt and the Birth of the Virgin. The altar front shows a beautiful bas-relief of the Annunciation in colored marbles.

Learn More about the paintings in the Lando Chapel

Following the transformative conservation treatment of the six side chapels in the nave of the Church of San Sebastiano, Save Venice’s campaign for the church continued into 2021, focusing on the two front chapels flanking the presbytery: the Virgin Annunciate (Lando) Chapel and Saint Jerome Chapel.

The conservation efforts for the Lando Chapel were multifaceted, targeting three main areas simultaneously: the chapel structure itself, the canvas paintings, and the majolica tile floor. Issues such as rising damp, salt deposits, and deteriorating plaster were addressed on the side walls, vaulted ceiling, and subfloor. Additionally, the stone and marble components of the altar underwent cleaning and consolidation. Simultaneously, conservation treatment was applied to the three canvas paintings from the altar and walls. Finally, after treating the majolica tile floor and implementing a new preservation system for long-term protection, the tiles were carefully reinstalled in the chapel.

Unattributed
Majolica Tile Floor
1510, ceramic tiles

Anonymous
Annunciation
late 16th century (?), oil on canvas
250 x 120 cm

Matteo Ingoli (c. 1586–1631) (Attr.)
Birth of the Virgin
c. 1610s, oil on canvas
115 x 280 cm

Matteo Ingoli (c. 1586–1631) (Attr.)
Flight into Egypt
c. 1610s, oil on canvas
115 x 280 cm

Unknown
Annunciation (Altarfront)
18th century, marble

Salomon, Xavier, Davide Gasparotto, Gabriele Matino, and Melissa Conn. The Church of San Sebastiano in Venice: A Guide, Venice: Marsilio, 2024