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Giovanni Battista Brustolon

The Grand Canal on Ascension Day, from the series Views of the Buildings and Passageways that Make Up the City of Venice,

Description

Maker

Giovanni Battista Brustolon (Italian, 1712-1796), printmaker
After Canaletto (Italian, 1697-1768), designer

Title

The Grand Canal on Ascension Day, from the series Views of the Buildings and Passageways that Make Up the City of Venice,
Bucentaurus et Nudinae Venetae in die Ascensionis

Year

1763

Medium

  • Etching on paper

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Etching on paper

Materials

etching

Supports

  • Medium weight cream laid paper

Dimensions

Plate: 32.1 x 46 cm (12 5/8 x 18 1/8 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum Works of Art Fund

Object Number

67.099

Type

  • Prints

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

The Festive City
Dec 21, 2012 – Jul 14, 2013

Label copy

The Venetian Doge’s most important ceremonial act of the year was the performance of the marriage of Venice to the sea on Ascension Day, called La Festa della Sensa. The Doge rode into the Great Lagoon in his magnificent gilded boat called the bucintoro, seen here with its multiple oars propelling it at right with the lion of St. Mark on the bow. From his throne in the covered apartment in the rear, the Doge threw out a symbolic ring, saying, “We wed thee, O Sea, in token of our eternal power and dominion.” Boats crowd the lagoon carrying passengers with fans and parasols, some masked, while masses of spectators look out from the Palazzo Ducale. Canaletto carefully depicted the event in front of the city’s most important architectural symbols of political and religious power: the clock tower, spires of St. Mark’s Basilica, campanile, and twin pillars of justice.

Use & Feedback

Image use

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This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Giovanni Battista Brustolon (Italian, 1712-1796), printmaker
After Canaletto (Italian, 1697-1768), designer
The Grand Canal on Ascension Day, from the series Views of the Buildings and Passageways that Make Up the City of Venice,; Bucentaurus et Nudinae Venetae in die Ascensionis, 1763
Etching on paper
Plate: 32.1 x 46 cm (12 5/8 x 18 1/8 inches)
Museum Works of Art Fund 67.099

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We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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