The tomb of Doge Francesco Dandolo in the Capitolare Room of the Frari church in Venice

The Frari church in Venice is a treasure chest full of works of art, some famous throughout the world, and others that must be seen. It is particularly famous for the numerous funerary monuments, as is usually the case in the churches of the order of the Franciscan Friars.

In the Capitolare Room, for example, there is the tomb of Doge Francesco Dandolo (1258 - 1339), a typical tomb in the Gothic style, but decorated with a painted bezel: the Madonna and Child in the centre and on one side the Doge Francesco Dandolo protected by St. Francis of Assisi and the other side by Duchess Elizabeth, dressed as a Franciscan, protected by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (a Third Order Franciscan).

This work is remarkable for three reasons: it is one of the first signed works in the history of Venetian Art and one of the oldest representations of St. Francis in the territory of the Republic. But above all, this is the first known portrait of a Doge in Venice, Francesco Dandolo, famous for having consolidated the power of Venice on the mainland.

If you found this article interesting and would like to know more about the most curious and mysterious sides of Venice, book a personalized tour of the city with our guide Francesca, editor of this popular section.