San Giobbe

Job, the man who bore all, was canonized in the Eastern Church and in Venice for his hoped-for efficacy against the plague. This church, originally an oratory and hospice, was founded in 1378 but rebuilt with funds from Doge Cristoforo ‘Othello’ Moro for the Franciscan Observants in 1450. Work was started by Antonio Gambello and finished by Pietro Lombardo, completing one of the first Renaissance buildings in Venice.

The exterior is plain, except for Pietro Lombardo's fine doorway, with statues in the lunette of SS. Job and Francis, and above, Saints Louis of Toulouse, Anthony and Bernardino of Siena (the latter, declared the patron saint of advertising, preached here and drew such large crowds that when the church was expanded, he was made co-dedicatee).