The Seven Sacraments by Pietro Longhi

One of the finest museums of Venice, the Querini Stampalia Foundation in Santa Maria Formosa, houses an interesting series of paintings by Pietro Longhi representing the Seven Sacraments. These paintings were commissioned by Andrea Querini to adorn his bedroom.

Despite their sacred representation, the scenes are solved by Pietro Longhi in a totally new way, in particular, highlighting aspects of daily life related to the Sacraments. The protagonists are in fact simple bourgeois Venetians intent with domestic practices.

In the Baptism, for example, the centre is the baptismal font, but on the right you can see a woman hidden behind a pillar, surely the child's mother, who for the ecclesiastical laws was considered unclean and therefore could not attend the function.

In the confession, around the figures ready to repent, you can see a small dog; when the painting was printed by Pitteri, the dog was considered a misnomer, and then replaced by a tombstone.

Among the seven paintings, the most moving one is surely 'the last rites' one: we can see a woman who blows her nose, the heater to heat the dying and the slice of lemon ready for the ritual.

The House Museum Querini Stampalia offers a fascinating display on the style and life of the most refined élite of the Serenissima... Paintings, furniture, architectural elements and a sophisticated atmosphere will allow you to come into contact with the representation of Venice as envied around the world. Book online your ticket for the Querini Stampalia and enjoy a unique visit!