Palazzo Pianetti

Palazzo Pianetti, nestled in the charming town of Jesi in the Marche region of Italy, is a splendid example of Rococo architecture and a treasure trove of art and history. This magnificent palace, once the residence of the noble Pianetti family, now serves as the Civic Art Gallery of Jesi, offering visitors a captivating journey through centuries of artistic and architectural brilliance.

The History of Palazzo Pianetti

The origins of Palazzo Pianetti date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it was constructed just west of the city walls of Jesi. The initial vision for the palace was conceived by Marquis Cardolo Maria Pianetti, an alchemy enthusiast and architect for Charles VI of Habsburg. His design echoed the Austrian style, reflecting his connection to the Habsburg court.

The final design and construction of Palazzo Pianetti were entrusted to Domenico Luigi Valeri, a painter and architect from Jesi, who began the project in 1748. The palace features a central structure that opens onto an Italian-style garden, enclosed by terraced walls. The main façade, adorned with a hundred windows, faces the narrow Via XV Settembre and was crafted by the Bolognese architect Viaggi, a student of Alfonso Torreggiani. The garden-facing façade, on the other hand, was designed by Venetian architect Antonio Croatto.

The palace is organized into several levels, typical of 18th-century architecture. The ground floor, accessible through a double-columned atrium leading to the garden, originally housed the service areas. The first floor, known as the Piano Nobile, was used for grand receptions and events. The second floor contained the family’s living quarters, while the mezzanine was reserved for the servants.

In the mid-19th century, significant renovations were undertaken to celebrate the marriage of Marquis Vincenzo Pianetti and Florentine Countess Virginia Azzolino. These renovations included the creation of an honor staircase, enhancing access to the upper floors. The project, led by architect Angelo Angelucci da Todi, began in 1858 and featured a trompe-l'œil painted staircase.

The Stunning Gallery of Stuccoes

One of the most breathtaking features of Palazzo Pianetti is the Gallery of Stuccoes, located on the first floor and directly connected to the garden via a series of staircases. This gallery, measuring a staggering 76 meters in length, is the second-longest 18th-century gallery in Italy, surpassed only by the Gallery of Diana at the Royal Palace of Venaria near Turin.

The gallery's walls and vaulted ceiling are adorned with intricate stucco work and frescoes depicting various allegorical themes, including the Passage of Time, the Months, the Zodiac Signs, the Four Seasons, the Elements of Nature (Earth, Water, Air, and Fire), and the Four Known Continents (Europe, Africa, Asia, and America). The central exedra features themes of the Cardinal Virtues, with allegories of Day and Night interwoven into the stucco decorations.

This masterpiece was created between 1767 and 1770 by Milanese stucco artist and painter Giuseppe Tamanti, assisted by Giuseppe Simbeni and Andrea Mercoli. The lagoon scenes and ornamental details around the doors and windows, initially attributed to Corrado Giaquinto, were later credited to Giuseppe Ciferri from L'Aquila.

The Enchanting Rooms of Aeneas

The Rooms of Aeneas, a sequence of six interconnected rooms, lie between the Gallery of Stuccoes and the palace's main façade. These rooms are named after the mythological hero Aeneas, with the ceilings adorned with frescoes depicting scenes from Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid. The paintings, executed between 1781 and 1786 by Carlo Paolucci and Placido Lazzarini, take visitors on a journey through the legendary tales of Aeneas.

The first room features scenes from Trojan legends, including The Dream of Hecuba, Helen's Arrival in Troy, Achilles on the Island of Scyros, the Abduction of Ganymede, and the Sacrifice of Iphigenia. The subsequent rooms illustrate the first six books of the Aeneid, including Aeneas Fleeing Burning Troy, Venus Pleading with Jupiter, The Penates Appearing to Aeneas in a Dream, and Aeneas Meeting His Father Anchises in the Underworld. The final room, the Hall of Celebrations, celebrates Poetry with a central scene of Apollo Crowning Virgil on Mount Parnassus, symbolizing the conclusion of Aeneas's story and the cultural significance of the gallery and rooms.

The Private Apartments of the Marquis

The second floor of Palazzo Pianetti houses the private apartments of the Pianetti family, consisting of rooms, salons, dressing rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. These spaces underwent significant modifications during the marriage of Marquis Vincenzo Pianetti and Countess Virginia Azzolino in 1859, under the direction of architect Angelo Angelucci da Todi.

The decorations in these rooms, especially those facing the garden, are reminiscent of 18th-century style and are centered around the graces of Venus. The alcove and rooms facing the main façade were decorated in a neo-Renaissance style by Florentine artist Olimpio Bandinelli after the death of Countess Virginia in 1877.

The Serene Gardens

The gardens of Palazzo Pianetti are a quintessential example of 18th-century garden design, serving as a transitional space between the private palace and the natural countryside. Designed by Domenico Luigi Valeri and completed in 1764, the gardens feature a series of staircases and terraces leading to the palace and the Gallery of Stuccoes. The walls surrounding the gardens act as steps, creating an open-air theater centered around a central turret that serves as an architectural focal point.

The gardens are adorned with statues depicting mythological subjects, symbolizing the glory and protection of the Pianetti family. Statues representing virtues such as Prudence, Justice, Courage, Nobility, Generosity, and Temperance once adorned the atrium of the palace. The gardens also feature twelve putto statues representing the times of the day, the elements of nature, and the seasons. The themes of Abundance and Fertility are depicted through statues of Bacchus, Ceres, Vertumnus, Pomona, Hercules, Iole, Flora, and Zephyr.

The gardens also include fountains and basins with sculptures of sea horses, dolphins, and marine deities like Neptune, Glaucus, Galatea, and Amphitrite, symbolizing renewal. The sculptural ensemble was created around 1756 by Padovan sculptor Antonio Bonazza. Although the clock built by Francesco Livisati in 1753 no longer functions, its painted dial remains on the tympanum of the architectural perspective.

The Civic Art Gallery

Today, Palazzo Pianetti houses the Civic Art Gallery and Contemporary Art Gallery, the largest museum in Jesi and one of the most significant in the province of Ancona and the Marche region. The gallery boasts an impressive collection of artworks, including masterpieces by Lorenzo Lotto.

The gallery was established following the 1866 Valerio Decree, which transferred the artistic treasures of religious congregations to the municipalities. Jesi acquired a substantial collection of religious paintings, which were added to the existing archaeological collection. The Civic Art Gallery was officially inaugurated on September 5, 1868. In 1912, Cesare Annibaldi established a unified museum complex open to the public, located in the former convent of San Floriano on Piazza Federico II.

In the 1930s, the Palazzo della Signoria, the former seat of the Planettiana Municipal Library, underwent restoration. In 1949, it was decided to include the Civic Museum within its premises, creating a comprehensive cultural hub for the city of Jesi.

Palazzo Pianetti, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and invaluable art collection, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the cultural heritage of Jesi. Whether you're an art enthusiast, history buff, or simply seeking a serene escape, this magnificent palace is a must-visit destination, promising an unforgettable experience.