Contarini (kōntärē'nē) [key], ancient Venetian family, including eight doges, a cardinal, and several artists. The most celebrated member was Andrea Contarini,. 1300?–1382. He was doge (1368–82) at the time of the War of Chioggia between Venice and Genoa; he proved his patriotism by melting his gold and silver plate and mortgaging his lands to raise money for the state.
