International art exhibition held in the Castello district of Venice every two years and juried by an international committee.
It was founded in 1895 as the International Exhibition of Art of the City of Venice to promote "the most noble activities of the modern spirit without distinction of country." The first Biennale, which achieved worldwide prestige, included artists from 16 nations; the committee included Edward Burne-Jones , Gustave Moreau , and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes . After World War II it became the leading showplace for the international avant-garde. Usually held in the summer months, it attracts many tourists and visitors.