San Barnaba, Venice c. 1876 - 1877

Curator: Charles Herbert's watercolor, "San Barnaba, Venice," captures a quiet moment in this iconic city. It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The muted palette lends a dreamlike quality, doesn't it? The campanile dominates, a clear phallic symbol of civic pride. Curator: Indeed. But the painting’s value lies in illustrating Venice’s evolving urban fabric. Herbert, painting in the mid-19th century, presented Venice as a place of reflection. Editor: Note the water's reflective qualities—it mirrors not only the architecture but also a sense of cultural memory. The gondola appears almost suspended. Curator: Herbert captures Venice before the full onslaught of mass tourism, offering us a glimpse into a more intimate urban experience. The viewpoint is as much a cultural artifact as the campanile itself. Editor: A poignant reminder that cities, like symbols, evolve and accumulate layers of meaning over time. Curator: Precisely. Herbert’s painting invites us to consider Venice’s past, present, and future.