Venice, tapestry, old looms

We start the visit at Tessitura Bevilacqua, one of the oldest and most important weaving, still producing splendid deluxe fabrics, weaved  on their 18th century looms and warpers, that belonged to the Venetian silk weaving school, and up until the introduction of the Jacquard machine (circa 1850) they had always been used manually. The company's famous historical archives hold more than 3,500 pattern-designs, all Bevialcqua originals. The Venice premises now house part of the production facilities, with 25 hand-operated looms - plus the warehouses and showrooms.
The tour continues on the other side of the Grand Canal, at the Fortuny Museum. Mariano Fortuny was a designer of textiles and couture at the beginning of the 20th century. Born in Spain, he lived in Venice and showed his work there and in Paris. He specialized in spectacular luxury fabrics based on Reinaissance and Byzantine revival patters: double-cut velvets, gilded screenprinted silks and chiffons. His most famous creation was a unique plisse (hand-pleated) silk that clung sensuously to the body. His 'Delphos' dress, made of this extraordinary cloth and based on ancient Green dress, was world-famous. Isadora Duncan and Eleanora Duse wore his dresses. Orson Welles made costumes from his textiles for his production of 'Othello'. Fortuny was also a celebrated designer of interior furnishings, theatre sets and costumes. Fortuny belongs in the pantheon of Art Nouveau and the Gilded Age, with Tiffany, Galle, the Pre-Raphaelites, Gustave Moreau, Whistler and William Morris.
The palace-museum has recently been reopen, offering an awsome example of home-atelier.  You can still breath the unceasing flow of an exceptional context, exhibiting Fortuny's collections of paintings, sculptures, lamps, dresses, costumes, fabrics, furniture, but the palace itself in all of its exciting atmosphere. The ancient home of the Pesaro degli Orfei - from the musical academy 'degli Orfei' that resided there in the 18th century and from the beginning of the 20th century it was the showplace of Mariano Fortuny and his art production. This museum is fated to become one of the jewel in the crown of the Venetian museum system.