The Doge's Palace, Venice 

Konstantin Gorbatov painted the Doge's Palace in Venice using oils, a scene that captures the city's architectural grandeur and bustling waterways. Painted by a Russian artist who emigrated in the 1920's, this view of Venice presents the city as a place of established wealth and beauty, with a focus on its famous palace. Venice was, and is, a city built on trade, a gateway between East and West. Gorbatov highlights the everyday life of the city, with working boats in the foreground, rather than dwelling on the historical and political symbolism of the palace. The image presents Venice as a modern commercial center and desirable destination for the early 20th century traveler. We can research paintings like these, examining travel journals, guidebooks, and exhibition reviews to better understand how Venice was seen at the time. The meaning of this artwork is always tied to its historical and social context.