II.

THE PALAZZO CONTARINI FASAN, VENICE.


This is one of the most notable examples of domestic Gothic
architecture in Venice, and dates from the fifteenth century. Ruskin
refers to it as follows: "In one respect, however, it deserves to be
regarded with attention, as showing how much beauty and dignity may
be bestowed on a very small and unimportant dwelling-house by Gothic
sculpture. Foolish criticisms upon it have appeared in English
accounts of foreign buildings, objecting to it on the ground of its
being 'ill proportioned'; the simple fact being that there was no room
in this part of the canal for a wider house, and that its builder made
its rooms as comfortable as he could, and its windows and balconies of
a convenient size for those who were to see through them and stand on
them, and left the 'proportions' outside to take care of themselves,
which, indeed, they have very sufficiently done; for though the house
thus honestly confesses its diminutiveness, it is nevertheless one of
the principal ornaments of the very noblest reach of the Grand Canal,
and would be nearly as great a loss if it were destroyed, as the
church of La Salute itself."

This building is popularly known as "Desdemona's House."