Why not dive into the romantic Venice of the 19th century, or dip into the Vienese secession, the vibrant colours of Kandinsky, or the abstraction of spatialism. If you visit the Ca’ Pesaro Modern Art Gallery, a baroque masterpiece designed by Baldassare Longhena (who was also responsible for the Church of Santa Maria della Salute) you will be able to admire some of the most important works from the last two centuries.

The permanent collection is on display on the first floor. In a room dedicated to the 19th century you will immediately be attracted by the fluid colours of Gugliemo Cardi’s Canale della Giudecca, Mattino di Maggio, San Giorgio and by one of the most significant views of Piazza San Marco by Pietro Fragiacomo. The sensual Giuditta II by Klimt dominates the space dedicated to paintings from the biennali exhibitions, such as Aunt Luisa by Zuloaga, The laugh by Maljavine, Procession in Brittany by Charles Cottet, Sewing the sail by Sorolla.

There are symbolist elements in the room which overlooks the Canal Grande, with sculptures by Adolfo Wildt, including Proud Character – Gentle Spirit (1912),and the Portrait of Franz Rose. Then there is the section that contains works from the Lisi collection, an extraordinary treasure trove: Girls at Nervi, The Convalescent, and Bowls by Felice Casorati, Madness and Mouvement de l’ âme by Alberto Martini, along with works by De Pisis, Giorgio Morandi, Massimo Campigli, Ottone Rosai, Giorgio de Chirico’s Mysterious Baths and Troubador, Mirò e Kandinskij.

In the room dedicated to the New Front and Spatialism one can breathe the culture of postwar Venice through works by Vedova, Pizzinato, Santomaso, Tancredi, Bacci, Guidi, and Saetti. Visitors who want to gain further understanding of Emilio Vedova’s work can also visit the Fondazione Vedova, at the Magazzini del Sale (salt warehouses), close to the church of Santa Maria della Salute, and the Fondazione Luigi Nono at the Giudecca, dedicated to the famous composer and great friend of Vedova’s with whom he organised various artistic events.

The third floor houses the museum of oriental art which possesses one of the most important collections of Japanese art from the Edo period( 160/3/1868) as well as sections dedicated to China with an enchanting exhibition of Porcelain and Jade and weapons, fabrics and figures from shadow theatre for Indonesia.

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