biennale de venezia The idea of an art exhibition in Venice was developed during impromptu meetings of a small circle of artists and art lovers at the Cafe Florian in St Mark’s Square. The International Exhibition opened in 1895, and was partly open to all and partly invitation only. All exhibitions were based in a central building until 1907. the pavilions Belgium built the first separate pavilion. Early pavilions were in Neo-Classical style, with wired glass skylights and/o