Festa della Sensa (derde gedeelte) 1679

This section of Jost Amman’s engraving, Festa della Sensa, depicts a Venetian ceremony of maritime dominance. Note the recurring presence of architectural columns. These are not mere structural supports; they are visual echoes of power and stability. Columns have been used since ancient times, perhaps most famously in ancient Greece. The column motif transcends time, re-emerging through the Roman Empire, Renaissance, and even to this day. It symbolizes stability and strength. We find them in triumphal arches and royal monuments. The column's recurring use speaks to a deep, subconscious human desire for order and permanence. In the Venetian context, Amman uses the classical architectural style to suggest not just aesthetic appeal, but also a claim to historical legitimacy and cultural authority. The column is more than stone; it's a statement, an embodiment of Venice's enduring legacy.