Zephir und Flora

Two of the richest families in Venice joined in 1732, when Antonio Pesaro married Caterina Sagredo. Each had given the republic a doge in the previous century, and the Pesaro palace on the Grand Canal was redecorated for the occasion. Tiepolo, not yet 40 and already the busiest decorator in the city, took the first floor, working in canvas and fresco. This piece is from that scheme. Zephyr, the west wind that breaks the winter, takes hold of Flora, goddess of spring, which is the sort of compliment a wedding suite was built to carry. The marriage did not last. Antonio died soon after it and left no children. The painting stayed in the palace until 1935, when the city moved it down the canal to Ca' Rezzonico.