Venice. The Frari’s Basilica. Monument dedicated to the Doge Giovanni Pesaro. The colossal Baroque monument dedicated to Giovanni Pesaro, who was Doge between 1658 and 1659, was erected in 1669 based on the design of Baldassarre Longhena (1598-1682). Above the ornate red and black marble pedestals with sculptured lion heads connected by swags, there are four gigantic Moors, with naked arms and feet and torn clothes, bearing the entablature, adorned with metopes and triglyphs, on their shoulders. In the midst, as if they were in niches, there are two black skeletons which hold a long inscription etched in gold letters on white marble. Above the entablature, four black marble columns support a grandiose red marble canopy which replicates a drape with brocade strips. On the throne held by monsters the Doge addresses the crwd, radiant and full of life, seated between the allegories of Religion, Valour, Concord and Justice. At his feet, above the architrave from left to right, a genius is drawing his bow, two women are offering ceowns while another is reading a book. On the second entablature up on high six charming putti bear the architrave. In the middle, two children display the coat af arms of the Pesaro family. The marble statues were sculptured by Melchiorre Barthel from Dresda (1625-1672). The two skeletons and monsters were created by Bernardo Falcone from Lugano (+1694). The characteristic inscription reads:”Vixit Annos LXX (he lived for 70 years) – Devixit anno MDCLIX (he died in the year 1659) – Hic revixit Anno MDCLXIX (here he comes to life again in the year 1669).