Departure of the Bucentaur Towards the Venice Lido on Ascension Day 1770

Francesco Guardi's "Departure of the Bucentaur Towards the Venice Lido on Ascension Day" (1770) is a captivating depiction of the annual Venetian ceremony marking the symbolic marriage of the Doge to the Adriatic Sea. The painting captures the grandeur and pageantry of the event, with the ornate Bucentaur, the Doge's state barge, taking center stage. Guardi's characteristic loose brushwork and vibrant color palette capture the lively atmosphere of the scene, with numerous gondolas and smaller boats surrounding the Bucentaur as it makes its way through the waters of the Venetian Lagoon. The painting is a testament to Guardi's skill in capturing the spirit and essence of 18th-century Venice.