Baldassarre Longhena

Training under Vincenzo Scamozzi is recorded. Antonio Gaspari, Bernardo Falconi and Giuseppe Sardi are recorded as having studied under Baldassarre Longhena. The recorded working language is Venetian. Places of work recorded in the authority are Venice. Works named in the authority record are San Salvador, Santa Giustina, Venice, Santa Maria della Salute and Scuola Grande dei Carmini. Work by Baldassarre Longhena is recorded in the collections of Nationalmuseum.

Born in Venice to his father Melchisedecco, a stone-carver who contrived to have Longhena study under the architect Vincenzo Scamozzi. After Scamozzi's death Longhena completed his monumental Procuratie Nuove in St. Mark's Square, a complex of imposing residences and offices for officials of the Venetian Republic that gives the square its appearance today. His best-known work is the elegantly decorated Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute begun in 1631 to thank the Virgin for the city's deliverance from the plague. This two domed church on the peninsula between the Canal Grande and the Zattere is one of the city's best-known landmarks. The main entrance, modeled on the Roman triumphal arch, was later copied in successive churches and cathedrals, in Venice and elsewhere. Between 1641 and 1680 he designed the new library, the grand staircase, the monastery façade, the Novitiate building, the sick-room and the guest-rooms of the Monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore. He designed many other churches in the city, among them the Chiesa dell'Ospedaletto and Santa Maria di Nazareth built between 1656 and 1680, although the façade of the latter church was designed by Giuseppe Sardi (1624–1699). He also designed the Palazzo Belloni Battagia and the Palazzo Giustiniani Lolin, both facing the Canal Grande. One of his largest designs was the Chioggia Cathedral, executed between 1624 and 1647. On the completion of the cathedral he designed two other palaces on the Grand Canal of Venice, Ca' Rezzonico and Ca' Pesaro, both completed after his death. He potentially made additions or modifications to the Palazzo Vidiman, Palazzo Moro in San Canciano, and the façade of San Zaccaria on the Rio della Pietà. Baldassare Longhena died at his home in Corte Rotto at San Severo in 1682. He was named Master Builder of the Republic of Venice during his time.

• Illustration — Ca' Rezzonico • Illustration — Ca' Pesaro • Illustration — Palazzo Belloni-Battagia • Illustration — Ospedaletto, Venice • Illustration — Santa Maria degli Scalzi • Illustration — Scola spagnola • Illustration — Villa Angarano • Illustration — Belltower of Santa Maria del Soccorso, Rovigo • Illustration — Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Loreo, Italy