Blyantsskitse med tre gondoler 1810 - 1873

This pencil sketch by Wilhelm Marstrand depicts three gondolas navigating the Venetian canals. The gondola itself is rich in symbolism. Think back to ancient Egypt, where boats ferried souls across the Nile to the afterlife. Here, in Venice, the gondola carries a similar weight. It is not merely a mode of transportation, but a vessel through the watery arteries of a city steeped in history, mystery, and often, melancholy. Look at the figures within; they are passengers on a journey, perhaps unaware of the deeper currents beneath their feet. The archway in the background frames the scene, reminiscent of portals in Renaissance paintings, suggesting transitions and thresholds. Venice, with its labyrinthine waterways and masked figures, becomes a stage for the human drama, where every ride is a passage through time and memory.