Art commissions

The two panel paintings, commissioned in 1527 to celebrate the wedding of the young couple, were created on the advice of Paola’s father, Francesco Priuli, by the painter chosen by the Querini family for five works.

In the portrait, Francesco Querini stands out against the neutral background wearing a black cloak, a light blue garment, and a brown-and-green striped jacket. With his right hand, he holds a glove—a symbol of marital promise—while resting against a balustrade.

Paola Priuli, by contrast, is portrayed in a refined and confident pose: one hand on her hip, the other resting by her side. She wears an elegant dress, originally a vibrant green, with delicate pearls shimmering along the neckline.

The two portraits, however, also tell another story: that of an unfinished work. The sudden death of Palma the Elder left several parts incomplete, especially in Paola’s portrait.

The Querini family is also honored in the February 2nd Festival at S. Maria Formosa, a lively painting by Gabriel Bella commissioned by them. The work depicts the Festa delle Marie, featuring the Doge’s visit to the church and the "casselleri," the artisans of the cassoni.

Bella does more than just document: he alters the Campo to highlight the Querini Stampalia palace, recognizable by its coat of arms. He also adds two lanterns, a modern detail for the time—one hanging from the church’s apse, the other on the corner of a nearby house.

Another fascinating piece is Giovanni and Caterina Querini at the 1855 Paris Universal Exposition, a work by an anonymous French artist. The two siblings proudly pose beside the fine silks produced in their innovative spinning mill in Campo di Pietra (Treviso).

Giovanni Querini had already showcased his silks at the 1851 Universal Exhibitions in London and Paris, gaining recognition that restored Venetian silk to Europe’s top markets—explaining why he and his sister are depicted in such a prestigious 1855 Paris Exposition setting.