Solemnite du Bucentaure, qui se celebre a Venise le Jour de l’Ascension.

Title

Solemnite du Bucentaure, qui se celebre a Venise le Jour de l’Ascension.

The view shows Solemnite du Bucentaure, which is celebrated in Venice on the day of the Ascension. From: Histoire du gouvernement de Venise, avec des notes historiques et politiques par le sieur Amelot de la Houssaie. Tome. 1. Pag. 266. It shows a procession of ships, centred on the Doge's barge, the Bucentaur, passing by the church of San Nicolas de Lido to celebrate the annual ceremony of the "Marriage of the Sea". This ritual, which took place every year on Ascension Day from the Middle Ages until 1789, represented a symbolic link between Venice and the Adriatic Sea and was an affirmation of Venetian naval power. At the end of the ritual, the Doge dropped a ring consecrated by the Pope into the water. The large rowing boat "Bucintoro", here displays the Venetian flag with the Doge and church representatives on a platform at the stern. The other boats include gondolas of various sizes carrying dignitaries, each inscribed with their name, e.g. the gondola of the French ambassador and the gondola of the papal nuncio. Engraver Caspar Luyken, editor Peter Mortier. A version of this card was later reprinted by the successor company Covens and Mortier after Pierre Mortier's death.

ca. 1695

Artist

Mortier