
The precise circumstances concerning the building of the palace are
little-known. It is supposed that work began in 1740, or more probably
in 1748, for which date a text mentions excavation work and the
preparation of foundations.
The Grassi family, originally from
Chioggia, had bought a patch of land in a magnificent location. Its
trapezoidal form offered the added advantage of providing a long façade
on the canal. The architecture of Palazzo Grassi is attributed to
Giorgio Massari who had built the large church of the Gesuati on the
Zattere, and that of the Pietà on the Riva degli Schiavoni.
This was
the last palace to be erected in Venice before the fall of the
Rupublic. The palace is currently considered to be a high value
location for exhibitions.

Painting and Sculpture form the François Pinault Collection will
feature a focused selection of 16 international artists whose work
engages with supposedly "traditional" art practises - yet subject both
painting and sculpture to constant conceptual revisions and
ever-evolving techniques. The works can be admired until the 5th
November 2007.
Before ...
The structure gives visitors optional
tour guides, aimed to study the artist and his work but, above all, to
read and analise the artistic image.
Palazzo Grassi bookshop is managed by Skira, and the merchandising includes a personalised Moleskine.
www.palazzograssi.it