The Museo Fortuny is located in a 14th c palazzo in the San Marco District of Venice, it was the family home of the Fortuny's from 1889 when the patriarch, Catalan painter Mariano Fortuny [1838-1874 aka Maria Fortuny i Marisal ] moved from Paris to Venice. You may be familiar with his more famous fashion designer son, also named Mariano [ 1871-1949 ], who was also a very talented lighting engineer . The museum was donated to the city of Venice in 1956 by Mariano's widow, Henriette.
The vast loft-like spaces on the second floor are entirely tented in glorious Fortuny fabrics http://www.fortuny.com/#/about and preserve many items including paintings and sculptures from various periods. Other than the pre-Raphaelite feel, the most striking elements are long sofas based on original Ottoman Turk examples, simple cushions on simply skirted decks make for super chic seating. The table in front of the sofa is actually a 15thc carpet fragment.
On the same floor is a studio where 15th and 16th c models are kept.
The view from the top floor. Be sure to visit this museum if you're in Venice, in addition to the wonderful antiques, the ground and top floors have rotating exhibits of modern art. It's a real treasure.
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