History & Preservation

Tomb of the Contarini Family at Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Unidentified artist | Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Donors

Restored in 1997 with funding from Lily Auchincloss.

History

Located in the floor of the central aisle of the nave near the high altar, this funerary monument outlines the burial area of the families of Paolo and Pietro Contarini, prominent members of the Venetian nobility. The central slab is embellished with the crest of the Contarini family and is surrounded by a wide border of classical scrolling vines. The intricate design is achieved through the use of inlaid, multicolored “hard stones,” or pietre dure.

Unidentified artist, Tomb of the Contarini Family, Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Conservation

The monument was restored by the Gotica Restauri conservation firm, with the guidance of project director Grazia Fumo of the Superintendency of Fine Arts of Venice.

For select projects, conservation dossiers in Italian containing limited textual and photographic documentation may be available for consultation by appointment at the Venice office of Save Venice and the Rosand Library & Study Center. For inquiries, please contact us at venice@savevenice.org.

About the Artwork

Unidentified artist
Tomb of the Contarini Family
1579, marble
361 x 248 cm

New York Office

133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022

Venice Office

Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy

Rosand Library & Study Center

The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.