Ca Pesaro
Ca Pesaro
A great art collection
Ca Pesaro in Venice
A truly remarkable collection of modern art awaits here, showcasing giants from Rodin to Warhol. And the best part? All of it is displayed in a stunning, atmospheric setting that perfectly complements the artworks.
My Rating:
The Positives:
An unexpected surprise. Great works, great presentation. From Rodin to Warhol – a successful collection of works.
The Negatives:
Smaller than expected. Only one floor; the exhibition rooms were closed during my visit as an exhibition was ending.
Tip:
For those interested in Asian art and history. Admission includes entry to the Museo d'Arte Orientale (3rd floor).
Last Modified: 20.04.2026 | Céline
Ca Pesaro
Tickets
The details
at a glance
Museums Pass
There’s the Museums Pass from GetYourGuide for EUR 63 (transportation can be added) -> Find out more
Or the Museums Pass from Tiqets for EUR 50: -> Buy pass
show less
Ca Pesaro
Photo Gallery
What is there
to see?
The palace Ca’ Pesaro is home today to the Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna. Modern art in an old, venerable Venetian palace – that sounds like a wonderful combination! And it truly is.
When you enter this palace, the large entrance hall on the ground floor immediately catches your eye. To the right, through a door, is the tiny, tiny ticket area. They certainly didn’t waste much space there 😉
You then access the collection via a staircase to the first floor. Here, you are greeted by Rodin’s enormous sculpture: “The Burghers of Calais”, 1889. At that point, I was already completely captivated. I had come in without any great expectations, and then you are immediately confronted by this striking group of figures.
The next steps, however, are crucial for your tour. Don’t go right into the next room — head left instead! Even if the room on the right seems magically irresistible, that one, with Warhol and Lichtenstein, actually marks the end of the tour.
If you continue to the left, the tour proceeds chronologically, starting with another Rodin — one of the many copies of “The Thinker” (also found at the Musée Rodin in Paris) — followed by Chagall, Nolde, Sorolla, Gustav Klimt, de Chirico, Klee, Tapies, Kandinsky, and many others.
Almost at the end of the tour, you absolutely must find a small hidden room — it almost looks as if you’re in the wrong place. Here, you’ll discover three treasures: two by Anselm Kiefer “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom” and “Brennstäbe” and one by Marina Abramović (currently very much in the public eye) with “Balkan Baroque”. These works are perhaps a little tucked away because they can feel dark or unsettling — especially Abramović! But for me, these two Kiefer pieces were the personal highlight of the collection, and I hope they’re always on display.
Finally, you arrive at Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jim Dine.
Ca Pesaro
A bit of History
The Palace
The palace was commissioned in the second half of the 17th century by the Pesaro family. Giovanni Pesaro was Doge at the time (reigned 1658–59) and stipulated in his will that his family must ensure the palace was completed. He, however, died quite early in 1659. His tomb can be found in the Church of the Frari.
The architect of the palace was Baldassare Longhena, who also designed the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and Ca’ Rezzonico.
The palace was richly adorned with frescoes and intricate details. One ceiling was even executed by Tiepolo: “Zephyr and Flora”, which we no longer see here today, but rather at the neighbouring Ca’ Rezzonico. I’ll find out for you why that is!
After the death of the Pesaro family, the palace passed to other families until it eventually came into the possession of Felicita Bevilacqua. In 1899, she bequeathed it to the city of Venice, with the stipulation that it should provide workspaces and exhibition opportunities for young avant-garde artists.
The Museum
The museum was opened on 18 May 1902 by the city of Venice. The opening was intended to coincide with the second Biennale, and the palace thus became the permanent home of the Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna.
Over time, the collection has been continually enriched through purchases and donations. In particular, acquisitions were made at the then “Biennales” 😉 — which makes sense, doesn’t it? From the 1950s onwards, acquisitions became more international, in alignment with the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome.
While the collection is housed on the first floor — the Piano Nobile — the second floor now regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. In the past, however, this floor was home to the Mostre Bevilacqua La Masa, which focused more on young, contemporary artists. On the third floor, you’ll find the Museo d’Arte Orientale, where you can explore art and artefacts from Asian countries — from samurai swords to geisha instruments and shadow puppets.
Official website of Ca’ Pesaro (different languages): capesaro.visitmuve.it/
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2024–2026
Ca’ Pesaro never responded to my request for permission to use the images.
