SCARPAGNINO
(b. ca. 1465, Grosio, d. 1549, Venezia)

Palazzo Contarini delle Figure: Façade

1505-46
Photo
Canal Grande, Venice

This palace at the Canal Grande takes its name from the two figures under the principal balcony. It belonged to Jacopo Contarini, an attorney of the Venetian republic, which assigned him wit the task of reorganizing the program for the painting of the hall of the Higher Council and within the Palazzo Ducale.

The palace was rebuilt between 1505 and 1546 according to a design by Scarpagnino. The perfect vertical and horizontal three-part arrangement of the façade organises architectural features of the period. A noteworthy feature is the triangular tympanum which highlights the Corinthian four-mullioned window with channeled columns.