Baldassare Longhena Painting by Paul Meijering

About "Baldassare Longhena Painting"

by Paul Meijering

About the artwork

Realistic acrylic painting of Baldassare Longhena depicting his work the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, painted by the Dutch fine artist Paul Meijering - the original painting measures 90 x 90 cm

Baldassare Longhena (c. 1598 - Venice, 18 February 1682) was an Italian architect and designer who worked mainly in Venice in the Baroque style.

Longhena was apprenticed to architect Vincenzo Scamozzi and completed his monumental Procuratie Nuove in St Mark's Square after Scamozzi's death. During his career, Longhena designed and built mainly palaces, churches and cathedrals. His best-known work is the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute whose construction began in 1631 and would only be completed after his death in 1687. The church with two domes stands on the peninsula between the Grand Canal and the Zattere. The main entrance, modelled on the Roman triumphal arch, was later adopted in several churches and cathedrals both in Venice and abroad.

Another great design by Longhena was the cathedral of Chiogga. Following a fire in 1623, the original cathedral was destroyed and Longhena was commissioned to rebuild it, which took place from 1624 and was finally completed in 1684.

Longhena's other designs include the palaces Palazzo Belloni Battagia, Palazzo Giustiniani, Ca' Rezzonico and Ca' Pesaro, the latter two of which were completed only after his death.

Longhena is also responsible for several designs of ornaments and monuments including the tomb of the Doge of Venice, Giovanni Pesaro.