The magnificent palace that today hosts the Museum of Oriental Art the International Gallery of Modern Art was built in the second half of the XVIIth century, under the commission of the wealthy aristocratic family of the Pesaro.The architect, Baldassarre Longhena,is the most important representative of the Venetian baroque; the Salute Church and Ca' Rezzonico were also designed by him.
The construction started in 1659 the first part that was completed was the courtyard, characterized by the original loggias, finished in 1676. The prestigious facade on the Grand Canal was completed up to the second floor in 1679 already, but when Longhena died, in 1682, the palace was still unfinished. The Pesaro then entrusted the completion of the work to Gian Antonio Gaspari who terminated it by 1710, respecting the original plan.