On the Bridge, Venice c. 1920s

Sidney Mackenzie Litten created this print titled "On the Bridge, Venice" using etching techniques. Litten’s sombre rendering of Venice prompts us to reflect on the public role of art in shaping perceptions of place. Venice, a city celebrated for its unique blend of architectural grandeur and serene waterways, has long been a subject for artists. Consider, in this image, the visual codes of the city: the arched bridge, the gothic architecture, and the gondolas, all rendered in the monochromatic tones characteristic of the etching process. Made in the early 20th century, during a period when Venice was transitioning from a major maritime power to a city focused on tourism and cultural preservation, Litten's work could be seen to engage with the aesthetic movements of its time. Was Litten’s Venice meant to evoke the nostalgia of a glorious past? Or was it a critique of the contemporary commodification of the city's image? To delve deeper into Litten's influences and intentions, one might explore period publications, exhibition catalogues, and critical reviews that framed the reception of his work within the broader context of early 20th-century printmaking.