Andrea Vendramin

Andrea Vendramin, born in 1393, was a prominent diplomat and the Doge of Venice from 1476 until his untimely death in 1478. He was the only member of the Vendramin family to hold this esteemed position during the height of Venetian power. His lineage was notable, with both his mother, Maria Michiel, and his wife, Regina Gradenigo, hailing from Dogal families, which underscored his influential connections.

Before ascending to the role of Doge, Vendramin served as the Venetian Procurator in Rome. His brief reign was marked by significant challenges, particularly the conclusion of the Second Turkish–Venetian War. His election as Doge was not without controversy, leading to a divisive split within the council. This tension culminated in the imprisonment and subsequent banishment of Antonio Feleto, who publicly criticized the council's decision to elect Vendramin.

At the time of his election, Vendramin was noted to possess a fortune of one hundred sixty thousand ducats, a substantial amount that included the dowries he provided for his six daughters to secure politically advantageous marriages. In his youth, he and his brother Luca engaged in lucrative shipping ventures from Alexandria, amassing wealth that benefited not only themselves but also their associates.

Andrea Vendramin's legacy is immortalized by his grand monumental wall-tomb, widely regarded as the most lavish funerary monument of Renaissance Venice, located in the basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo. This impressive structure, executed by Tullio Lombardo in 1493, was originally intended for the church of Santa Maria dei Servi. Although a portrait attributed to Gentile Bellini was once thought to depict him, it is now believed to represent his successor, Doge Giovanni Mocenigo. Vendramin was interred in the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, a traditional resting place for doges, and following his death, his widow married his brother, Luca.