Festa della Sensa (dertiende gedeelte) 1679

This woodcut, Festa della Sensa, was created by Jost Amman in the late 16th century. It depicts the annual “Marriage of the Sea” ceremony in Venice. But what does this ceremony mean in terms of social power and cultural identity? Well, the Festa della Sensa was a symbolic act of dominance by the Venetian Republic. By tossing a ring into the Adriatic Sea, the Doge, or leader of Venice, claimed ownership over the waters, asserting the city's maritime power and commercial strength. Considered in its time, this image provides a visual encoding of Venice's self-image as a wealthy, divinely favored, and powerful city-state. But as historians, we might look at shipping records, political documents, and even fashion trends of the time to learn even more about the social life of Venice. Each can lend further meaning to this ritual and its representation.