On display at the new exhibition, "The Genius of Tradition: Eight Centuries of Velvet in Venice: Tessitura Bevilacqua" at the Doge's Palace (St. Mark's Square, Venice, February 14th through May 15th), is a collection of rare velvet fabrics produced and kept at the prestigious "tessitura" (weaving shop) that has been operating in Venice for more than two centuries now.

Some 80 exhibits illustrate the evolution of taste and style in fashion and interior design from the days of the Renaissance to today.

Illustrated production techniques include "suprarizzo" (terry-like), "cesellato" (chiseled), "tagliato" (cut), "altobasso" (up-and-down), "controtagliato" (counter-cut), laminated, brocades, and more.

An original 18th-century loom — still used by Bevilacqua to produce its famous velvets — is shown and operated during exhibition hours.