Piazza San Marco, Venice 1706 - 1712

Luca Carlevaris rendered this view of the Piazza San Marco in Venice with oil on canvas, though the exact date is unknown. Carlevaris was a leading figure in Venetian *vedute* painting, a genre that found popularity with wealthy tourists, especially the British. As you gaze upon the detailed architecture and bustling crowd, consider that what you see here is a carefully constructed representation of Venetian life for the consumption of outsiders. The figures populating the square, rendered with remarkable detail, reflect the rigid social hierarchies of 18th-century Venice. Note how the attire and positioning subtly denote social standing. While the painting celebrates Venice's beauty, it also subtly reinforces a social order predicated on exclusivity and privilege. Carlevaris's painting is more than a mere depiction of a place; it's a snapshot of a society deeply invested in maintaining its image for the world, all the while navigating the complexities of its own internal dynamics.