Venice Art Galleries

(Venice, Veneto, Italy)

There is simply so much to see when you are holidaying in Venice - the canals, the architecture, the museums, and of course, the art galleries.

The Accademia Gallery (Gallerie dell' Accademia) in particular comes highly recommended. With spectacular masterpieces from the 14th century to the 18th century by world-famous artists, such as Bellini, Giorgione, Rosalba Carriera, Longhi, Tintoretto, Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) and Veronese, to name but a few, the Venice Accademia remains one of the most prestigious and overwhelming art galleries in Italy.

Founded in the middle of the 18th century by the Venetian Senate, the Accademia Gallery began its life as a Venice 'School of Painting' and moved to its current location on the Campo della Carità at the beginning of the 19th century, where it continues to draw the crowds.

Enjoying a waterfront setting, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is another Venice gallery of great note and stands close to the Wake Forest University, where it boasts many spectacular paintings by leading artists of their time.

Accademia Gallery

Address: Campo della Carità, Accademia, Dorsoduro, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 522 2247
The Accademia Gallery is home to the city's single most important art collection, with many beautiful and well-displayed paintings, and is well worth visiting. Guided tours in English are available, as are audio guides. Combined tickets can be purchased and these also include entrance to the Museo Orientale and Galleria Franchetti.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 19:00, closing at 14:00 on Sunday and Monday
Admission: charge, free to under 18s and seniors

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Address: Entrance on Calle San Cristoforo, Dorsoduro 701, Venice, Italy
Tel: +39 (0)41 520 6288
This delightful gallery may be small, but it is full of 20th-century art, paintings and sculptures. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is housed in the rather luxurious apartments in the Palazzo Venier dei Leonii which used to be home to the wealthy heiress, Peggy Guggenheim, who died in 1979 aged 81. A serious collector and patron of art, highlights include works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Pollock, Motherwell, and her former husband, Ernst. The building was intended to be a grand four-storey palace, but it was never completed and only has one floor.
Open hours: November to March, Monday, Wednesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
April to October, Monday, Wednesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 22:00
Admission: charge

Bac Art Studio

Address: Fondamenta Venier, near the Gallerie dell'Accademia, 862 Dorsoduro, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 522 8171
Founded in 1977 by Paolo Baruffaldi and Cadore, the Bac Art Studio features many interesting and important paintings of Venice scenes, angels, flowers and animals. Regular exhibitions are also hosted for local artists.

Bugno

Address: Campo San Fantin, 1996/a San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 523 1305
This well-known retailer of contemporary art displays many wonderful modern paintings. There are also some interesting sculptures on display, made from a variety of materials, including stylish wooden works by artist Demarchi.

Contini

Address: Campo Santo Stefano, 2765 San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 520 7525
With paintings by famous artists including Chagall, Giacometti, Magritte, and Picasso, the Contini art gallery is also a dealer in art by Botero, Navarro Vires, Zoran Music and sells many individual sculptures.

Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni

Address: 3259 Castello, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 522 8828
Once a brotherhood devoted to charitable works, this large building is home to a wonderful collection of paintings. There are many pieces by Vittore Carpaccio, including the paintings known as the 'Cycle of St. George', and these were actually painted here over 500 years ago. Another of Carpaccio's particularly well-known and loved paintings, 'St. George and the Dragon' is also displayed here.

Gallery Holly Snapp

Address: Calle delle Botteghe, 3133 San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 521 0030
With many very different and unique paintings, etchings and drawings by English artist Geoffrey Humphries, the Gallery Holly Snapp is an interesting place to visit. The works include landscapes, portraits and some superb watercolours.

Ravagnan

Address: under Procuratie Nuove, Piazza San Marco 50/a, San Marco, Venice
Tel: +39 (0)41 520 3021
Ravagnan has been the exclusive dealer of most renowned living Italian artists for over 30 years and has built up quite a reputation. Over the years, items have included glass sculptures by Primo Formenti, collages by Piero Principi and paintings by surrealist artist Ludovico de Luigi.