About

In 2024, Galerie Negropontes inaugurated its new presence in Venice. Over the course of a year, it undertook the restoration of the Palazzina Masieri — closed since 1996 — in collaboration with IUAV and architects Roberta Bartolone and Giulio Mangano. This partnership marks the beginning of a major revitalisation, heralding the building’s rebirth as a place devoted to art and knowledge.

© Università IUAV DI Venezia
Photos: Gabriele Bortoluzzi

Within this setting, Galerie Negropontes fosters a continuous and meaningful dialogue between the works of its artists and the distinctive architectural language of Carlo Scarpa. Each exhibition is curated around a theme that resonates with the architecture of the site, the focus of the Biennale, or the unique character of Venice, while remaining true to the gallery’s curatorial identity.

© Università IUAV DI Venezia
Photos: Gabriele Bortoluzzi

Overlooking the Grand Canal, the Palazzina Masieri is an architectural gem whose rich and complex history has been shaped by ambitious visions and transformative interventions. Its story begins with an initial redesign proposed by the eminent American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Originally intended as a private residence for Angelo Masieri, the project was reconceived as a memorial after his untimely death. However, in 1955, the City of Venice formally rejected Wright’s proposal, deeming it incompatible with the historic fabric of the city.

© John Volpato

In 1962, the Foundation entrusted a new project to Valeriano Pastor, yet it was not until 1968 that Carlo Scarpa was commissioned to redesign the interior spaces of the Palazzina, while preserving its exterior façade. The final of Scarpa’s three proposals was approved in 1972, and the building was completed in 1983. Until 1996, the Foundation played a key role in architectural culture, hosting exhibitions, events, and editorial initiatives. Since March 2024, Galerie Negropontes has brought new life to the Palazzina Masieri, restoring its international cultural resonance and reaffirming its place within the artistic landscape of Venice.

© Università IUAV DI Venezia
Photos: Gabriele Bortoluzzi