San Giorgio from the Ducal Palace 1863 - 1865

Editor: So, this is John William Inchbold's watercolor, "San Giorgio from the Ducal Palace," currently residing in the Tate. It feels very dreamlike, almost like a memory. What is your interpretation of the scene? Curator: Inchbold's Venice captures a specific moment in the city's cultural narrative. Consider the figure; her attire speaks to a certain social class, engaging with Venice as a leisure destination. The composition highlights the city as a backdrop for personal experience. What does this say about the public perception and consumption of Venice then? Editor: That's interesting. I was focusing on the aesthetic, but you're right, it frames Venice as a stage for the privileged. Curator: Precisely. And that framing, reinforced through art and literature, played a key role in shaping its identity and tourism. Editor: I never thought about how art itself could be a part of shaping a city’s image. Thanks for the insight!