The highly ornamented first gondola of Ambassador Giovanni Battista Colloreado entering Venice 1720 - 1730

This print, made by Giovanni Antonio Faldoni, depicts the opulence of 18th-century Venice, celebrating the arrival of Ambassador Giovanni Battista Colloreado. Look closely, and you can see the intricate details achieved through etching and engraving, processes that demanded skillful handwork. Notice the gondola itself, a floating testament to luxury, adorned with figures, gilded carvings and rich textiles. The image speaks volumes about labor and class. The production of such prints involved a division of labor, from the artist's design to the artisan's execution. The gondola is a mode of transport for the elite; an object of display more than a practical vessel. The image is a commodity, produced through skilled work for a market eager to consume images of prestige and power. This print reminds us that art is not just about aesthetics. It is a product of making, enmeshed in a network of social relations, economic forces, and cultural values.