Gondol med to roere 1810 - 1873

Wilhelm Marstrand created this pencil drawing of a gondola with two rowers, sometime in the 19th century. The artwork offers a glimpse into the romanticized vision of Venice popular during this period. Venice, with its unique geography and rich history, held a particular allure for northern European artists. The gondola itself becomes a symbol, not just of transportation, but of Venetian identity and the city's historical power as a maritime republic. Marstrand’s sketch might be read in relation to the rise of tourism and the art market, both of which contributed to the circulation of idealized images of Venice. It speaks to a broader cultural phenomenon of ‘Venetianism’ that shaped artistic production in the 19th century. To fully understand this work, we might look at travel writing, guidebooks, and other visual representations of Venice from the period. Examining Marstrand's drawing in its social and institutional context allows us to appreciate its meaning as something more than just a pretty picture.