I’m always on the look-out for angels as I walk around Venice. They aren’t quite as easy to find as shrines or images of the Madonna so I’m happy when I find one. These carvings of Archangel Gabriel are on a vera da pozzo in the courtyard of Palazzo Gabrielli. Both the palace and the well-head are 14th century Gothic; the palace belonged to the noble Venetian family Gabrielli (the archangel was their patron saint).
There’s also a relief of Gabriel on the façade of the palazzo.
The most famous member of this family was Trifone Gabrielli (1470-1549), a humanist and philosopher known as the “Venetian Socrates.” Some people believe he’s the guy on the right (the tutor) in this painting by Giorgione, Giovanni Borgherini and His Tutor. This painting is in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
The Palazzo Gabrielli is now a hotel called the Gabrielli Sandwirth. The nice guys at the front desk told me that there was another vera da pozzo, even older than the one with the angels, and sent me off to find it. It’s a nice Byzantine-looking one, but the courtyard was closed and I had to photograph it through glass so excuse the glare!
Comments (6)
Hi Annie, that's a really beautiful courtyard and I love seeing the Archangel Gabriel on this vera da pozza. The other one is cool too, and thinner than all the other ones. I like the carvings it has. I bet that's a really beautiful palazzo too.
Thanks so much for sharing your special finds. Have a wonderful day today.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | January 17, 2011 5:21 PM
Posted on January 17, 2011 17:21
Gorgeous photos, especially love that first one. The contrast of the vibrant leaves against the stone is wonderful.
Just commented to Kathy that I haven't been making my blog rounds as much as I'd like lately. So am kind of out of the loop with those of my blog friends who aren't on facebook! Hope everything is going well with you. I envision you having lots of fun with the new kitten, hope the three of them are getting along ok!
Posted by Anne | January 19, 2011 12:34 PM
Posted on January 19, 2011 12:34
Thanks for the nice visit!! I didn't know those wellheads. Beautiful!
Have a nice week Annie!
Posted by AnnaLivia | January 19, 2011 1:53 PM
Posted on January 19, 2011 13:53
Kathy, thanks. The palazzo is beautiful even though it's a big hotel now.
Anne, he's not a kitten anymore...we went to the vet for his annual check-up yesterday and he weighs 11 pounds now!
AnnaLivia, thanks. I read about these angels in "Strolling Through Venice" and added them to my Venice list. :)
Posted by Annie | January 19, 2011 2:47 PM
Posted on January 19, 2011 14:47
Wonderful carvings and relief, and who better to have as your patron saint than Archangel Gabriel? I wonder if I should declare a patron saint?
I really marvel at the effort that was made to decorate even such everyday items as a well.
Posted by sandrac | January 19, 2011 10:14 PM
Posted on January 19, 2011 22:14
Great finds! You must be great at Where's Waldo :)
Guess what? I am going to Venice this summer!! I will overlap my stay with Sandra for 4 days. We are both staying at the B&B you discovered. Can't wait!!
Posted by girasoli | January 23, 2011 3:28 PM
Posted on January 23, 2011 15:28