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 attributed to Father Vittorio Bosello.

Learn More about the paintings in the Lando Chapel

Following the transformational conservation treatment of the six side chapels in the nave of the church of San Sebastiano, Save Venice’s campaign for the church is now continuing in 2021 with the two front chapels that flank the presbytery–the Virgin Annunciate (Lando) Chapel and Saint Jerome Chapel.

The conservation of the Lando chapel consists of three concurrent focus areas–the chapel itself, the canvas paintings, and the majolica tile floor. The walls and vaulted ceiling and subfloor will be treated to address issues including rising damp, salt deposits, and crumbling plaster. The stone and marble elements of the altar will be cleaned and consolidated. Concurrently, the three canvas paintings from the altar and walls will undergo conservation treatment.

Once treatment of the tiles and chapel is complete, it is hoped that the tiles could be reinstalled in the chapel if it is determined that a new system would ensure their preservation well into the future.

Save Venice is seeking sponsors for this project. Full and partial sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact kim@savevenice.org for more information.

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

Father Vittorio Bosello
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