Venice, Bacino di San Marco on Ascension Day 1754

Canaletto painted this grand scene of Venice's Bacino di San Marco on Ascension Day, capturing the city's annual celebration with a masterful eye. Dominating the view is the Bucintoro, the Doge's state galley, laden with symbolism. This vessel, adorned in gold, embodies Venice's maritime power and its ritualistic marriage to the sea. Note the recurrence of the color red, in flags and garments, traditionally associated with power and prestige. In ancient Rome, red denoted military leaders; here, it signifies Venice's dominance. Think of the Roman emperors clad in purple, later emulated by monarchs across Europe—these visual cues transcend time, echoing through art. Symbols such as boats have morphed from instruments of trade and war to emblems of journeys and the subconscious mind. This collective memory and shared history engage us on a deep, subconscious level, stirring emotions and connecting us to a broader human narrative. The power of symbols lies in their cyclical journey, forever evolving yet rooted in the past.