19 September 2006 – 26 June 2007
At the height of her power in the 15th century Venice controlled a trading empire reaching from Northern Italy to the Eastern Aegean. This ruthless, wealthy and powerful city absorbed ideas from the east and the west to produce arts and architecture which were uniquely Venetian. ‘The Serene Republic’ will follow the fortunes of Venice, her rise and fall and the development of her sumptuous and exquisite visual arts.