This reproduction depicts a view of Saint Mark’s Basilica in Piazza San Marco in Venice made by Filippo Vasconi for the cartography collection, “Il gran Teatro di Venezia,” first published in 1720 by ..
more »This reproduction depicts a view of Saint Mark’s Basilica in Piazza San Marco in Venice made by Filippo Vasconi for the cartography collection, “Il gran Teatro di Venezia,” first published in 1720 by Domenico Lovisa. Piazza San Marco is the site of some of Venice’s most iconic buildings. A key at the bottom of the print identifies various buildings in the square. To the right of the domed basilica is the Doge’s Palace, its long rectangular facade articulated in the Venetian Gothic style. Closer the the foreground on the right, the Campanile towers above the people gathered in the square—it is so tall part of the building is out of frame. On the far left of the scene is the Clock Tower, topped with a winged lion of Venice. Together these buildings form the political, social, and religious backbone of Venice. Vasconi carefully rendered these buildings, attempting to capture the architectural details of each. The groups of people standing in the square or huddled around tables speak to the square as a popular and important gathering place. As part of a larger book on cartography, this print preserves an idyllic view of Saint Mark’s Basilica and other surrounding landmarks. —Jessica Ferrer ('17)
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