The Scuola Grande della Carita

The Scuola Grande della Carita. Founded in 1260 and the first of the Great Schools of Venice; now forms part of the Galleria dell ‘Accademia.

There were seven Great Schools or Confraternaties, that played an important part in the social history of Venice. The term “Scuola” is a typically Venetian, in other parts of Italy they are known as “Confraternita” or “Compagnola”

They were charitable organisations based in monumental sites, attached to or close to the the churches of their patron saints. Their activities included, organisation of processions, distrubuting money, food and clothing to less fortunate members of the community, burial of paupers and supervision of hospitals.

Designed by great architects and often richly decorated with great artworks, those that are still open to the public are really worth visiting and some offer a concert programme.

History

Remnants of the Scuola integrated into the Accademia Gallery

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The Scuola Grande della Carita – History.

The Scuola Grande della Carita, founded in 1260 and the first of the Great Schools of Venice; now forms part of the Galleria dell ‘Accademia. In 1260, the School of Saint Maria of della Carita (Charity), the first Scuola Grande; was founded in the church of San Leonardo. At first, the school rented rooms from the monastery of Santa Maria della Carita close by.

Grand canal – view from Santa Maria della Carità towards the Bacino di San Marco by Canaletto (c. 1730-1733). Note: original church decoration and showing bell tower with adjacent cottages later destroyed.

Over time, the money from donations and its commercial activities, was used to buy land and buildings from them. In 1343, it had two meeting rooms, one above the other and this may have been the original model for all later scuole buildings; a lower meeting room (androne) and an upper meeting room (sala).

In the mid-15th century, an extension was added here as an albergo, for the meeting of the banca. This building’s facade can be seen in the background of Canaletto’s Stonemason’s Yard; long before the first Accademia bridge was erected in front of it.

Later in 1534, Titian was commissioned to paint a “Presentation of the Virgin” on one wall of the Sala dell’Albergo. From this room the banca distributed alms and choose young women to receive dowry contributions.

The only additions after 1560, were in the mid-18thcentury; when Giorgio Massari changed the facade and Barbardino Maccaruzzi designed the curved double staircase.

In 1806, the Napoleonic administration disbanded many institutions in Venice, including scuole, some churches and convents. Work began in 1811, headed by Giannantonio Selva, to transform the scuola, the adjacent church and convent buildings; into the Galleria dell’Accademia, that finally opened in 1817. The gallery contains many works from the suppressed and demolished churches in Venice.

Remnants of the Scuola integrated into the Accademia Gallery

Former Chapter House, now integrated into the Accademia Gallery

The gallery is entered through what was the scuola entrance. The original carved panel over the main doorway, the “Coronation of the Virgin by Bon and the statue group on the roof; are both long gone. The panel is now in the Salute and the statue is to be found in the Giardini Pubblici

The first room at the top of the staircase as you enter the galleries, is the former chapter house. It has a gilded ceiling, attributed to Marco Cozzi and is one of the two rooms where the original features of the scuola, can be seen.

The other is the albergo, which is adjacent to the chapter house, but now comes at the end of the gallery circuit. It has surviving benches and a 15th century ceiling, along with Titian’s very architectural “Presentation of the Virgin“, in its original position but rather surprisingly shaped around two doors.