Church of Santa Maria Formosa
Churches in Venice - Castello
The Church of Santa Maria Formosa built in 1492, is Mauro Codussi's architectural masterpiece and marks the introduction into Venice of the full spatial vision embodied in the Tuscan Renaissance.
The Latin-cross layout, with central nave and two side aisles, respects the foundations of the original 7th-century church (which, according to tradition, was one of the eight founded by St. Magnus, Bishop of Oderzo, after a Vision of the Virgin as a magnificent formosa matron of her people).
Codussi's design also fits harmoniously with the Greek-cross plan of the 12th-century re-building of that original church, creating a well-articulated centre-focussed space in which the complex roofing of vaults and cupolas seems to float above the steady light which flows in through the deep windows in the main walls.
The two external façades were commissioned by the Cappello family: the classical-style façade giving onto the Canal was built in 1542, the façade giving onto the small campo in 1604.
One of the works of art in the church which should not be missed is the St. Barbara polyptych by Jacopo Palma il Vecchio (1523 ca.); located in the Chapel of the Scuola dei Bombardieri, this was the work which first made the artist a name within the city. Opposite it, hangs Leandro Bassano's sombre Last Supper (end of the 16th century); whilst in the Chapel of the Conception you can see the famous Triptych of the Madonna of Mercy (1473), which reveals the clear influence the style of Mantegna had on the Murano artist Bartolomeo Vivarini.
In the church's Oratory there is a Madonna with Child painted by the 18th-century artist Giandomenico Tiepolo.
Official website: www.chorusvenezia.org
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