# Biblioteca Marciana: Exterior view [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [SANSOVINO, Jacopo]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Photo ## Commentary The building housing the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana \(National Library of St Mark's\) was designed by Jacopo Sansovino. In his design, Sansovino succeeded in harmonising the noblest classical style of the Renaissance with the picturesque Venetian setting. The first sixteen arcaded bays of his design were constructed during 1537 to 1553, with work on frescoes and other decorations continuing until 1560. Sansovino died in 1570, but in 1588, Vincenzo Scamozzi undertook the construction of the additional five bays, still to Sansovino's design, which brought the building down to the molo or embankment, next to Sansovino's building for the Venetian mint, the Zecca. The building features not only a magnificent and pompous façade, but also valuable décor within. Works by famous Venetian artists such as Alessandro Vittoria, Titian and Tintoretto adorn the walls and ceilings. The library contains an impressive collection of more than 750,000 books, 13,000 manuscripts and 24,000 prints, which makes the Biblioteca Marciana one of the largest libraries in Italy and Europe. ## Related artworks - [Allegory of Crete]() - [Allegory of Cyprus]() - [Allegory of Venice]() - [Apollo on the Loggetta]() - [Bacchus \(back view\)]() - [Bacchus \(detail\)]() - [Bacchus]() - [Baptismal Font]() - [Baptismal Font]() - [Biblioteca Marciana and Zecca]() - [Biblioteca Marciana: Exterior view]() - [Biblioteca Marciana: Exterior view]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()