Twee afbeeldingen van details van de San Marco in Venetië before 1885

Carl Heinrich Jacobi created these two images of details of the San Marco in Venice at an unknown date. The Basilica di San Marco, a symbol of Venetian identity, embodies the city's unique position as a nexus between East and West. Jacobi’s detailed prints invite us to consider how Venice—a powerful, wealthy, independent city—constructed its identity through the careful accumulation of Byzantine, Islamic, and Western European artistic traditions. The vegetal motifs remind us of how Venice’s geographic location at the edge of the Mediterranean afforded its merchants access to global trade networks. These prints offer a glimpse into the visual culture that shaped Venetian self-perception. As Venice navigated its relationships with shifting global powers, the art and architecture of San Marco served as a constant reminder of the city’s unique history. They served as an emotional anchor, symbolizing its enduring cultural significance.