Museo Fortuny

About the museum

The palazzo housing the museum, known as Pesaro degli Orfei, was built between about 1460 and 1480 at the wish of the condottiero (military commander) Benedetto Pesaro and is considered the largest private building in Venice in the late Gothic style, with four large multi-light windows (polifore) on the piano nobile and halls more than 43 metres deep. After the extinction of the Pesaro branch of the family at the end of the 17th century it was leased out and housed academies and printing workshops; in the 19th century it was divided into some twenty dwellings.

In 1898 Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo moved in, setting up his studio in the attic, and in the following years gradually bought and restored the entire building. Here he worked as a painter, engraver, photographer, stage designer and inventor of theatre lighting systems; from 1907, together with Henriette Nigrin, he started a manufacture of printed textiles and garments, known above all for the pleated dress Delphos.

In 1956 Henriette donated the palazzo to the Comune di Venezia, with the obligation to devote it to cultural activities linked to art and to preserve the character of the artist's studio in the central hall of the first floor. The Comune took full possession in 1965, the museum opened to the public in 1975, and in 1978 the ground-floor entrance hall was also purchased. Today the museum is part of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia: the ground floor hosts contemporary art projects, the first floor is the house museum of Fortuny and Nigrin and the second floor the atelier, with sections devoted to engraving, textile printing, photography and theatre.

Highlights

• House museum of Mariano Fortuny and Henriette Nigrin on the first floor
• Atelier on the second floor with engraving, textile printing, photography and theatre
• Fortuny's studio-library
• 15th-century late Gothic palazzo with Gothic courtyard
• Contemporary art projects on the ground floor

Permanent exhibitions

• Casa Museo di Mariano Fortuny e Henriette Nigrin – The first floor preserves the house-studio of the two artists, with the Portego, Fortuny's fashion innovations and stage designs inspired by Richard Wagner.
• Atelier di Mariano Fortuny – The second floor presents Fortuny's work in four sections (engraving, textile printing, photography, theatre and lighting) and his studio-library.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE)

Visitors per year

approx. 57,610

Admission & discounts

Online only the reductions for the age bands 6–14, 15–25 and over 65 are available; other reductions are obtained at the ticket office with a document proving entitlement. Free admission for residents and people born in the Comune di Venezia, ICOM members, children aged 0 to 5, people with disabilities with one companion, licensed tourist guides, up to two accompanying teachers per class, volunteers of the Comune di Venezia civil service, MUVE partners, holders of the MUVE Friend Card, members of the association Amici dei Musei e Monumenti Veneziani and holders of certain partner cards (Art Pass, Venetian Heritage, Save Venice).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum declares itself fully accessible to people with disabilities and has a lift. The listed historic building may have slight slopes, raised thresholds or steps of uneven height. Guided tours and workshops by MUVE Education can be adapted to specific needs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum has a baby pit-stop for breastfeeding, nappy changing and rest. MUVE Education offers workshops and routes for families with children and young people aged 5 to 14, lasting about an hour and a half, paid (€100 per activity, up to 10 participants, admission included) and booked online at least 10 days in advance.

Getting there & parking

Entrance in Campo San Beneto, San Marco 3958.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum Store on the ground floor and a refreshment point with vending machines for drinks and snacks. Free cloakroom; trolleys and luggage whose three dimensions add up to more than 1 metre are not admitted. Dog-sitting service bookable via Bauadvisor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit