The Punta di San Giobbe, with the Island of San Secondo in the Distance 1764 - 1835

Giacomo Guardi made this pen and brown ink with gray wash drawing of the Punta di San Giobbe with the Island of San Secondo in the distance sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Venice, a city built on water, was a hub of cultural exchange and commerce, but also stark class divisions. Guardi's drawing captures a scene of everyday Venetian life, yet it speaks volumes about the city’s social fabric. Notice the gondolas, they were not merely a means of transport, but symbols of wealth and status. Who could afford a private gondola, and who was employed to row? The architecture reflects the opulence of the ruling class, while the distant island hints at the city's margins, both geographical and social. As you reflect on Guardi's Venice, consider how this image invites us to contemplate the intersection of beauty, power, and inequality.