View of the Strada Nuova against the Giardini Pubblici in Venice 1834

Rudolf von Alt painted this view of Venice with oil on canvas, capturing the essence of a vibrant port city. The ships, with their tall masts reaching to the sky, dominate the scene and symbolize trade and exploration. The ships remind me of votive ships offered to Gods for safe return from voyages, which, over time, became symbols of commerce, linking the city to distant lands. The presence of water, lifeblood of Venice, appears as a reflecting mirror, its calm surface broken only by the gondolas. The boats bring to mind images from ancient Egypt, where boats ferried souls to the afterlife. The warm palette evokes a nostalgic feeling. This is Venice, but it is also a Venice that exists in our collective memory, a place of dreams, romance, and adventure, emotions captured in the reflections on the water, which hold a timeless appeal.