The Interior of St Mark’s Basilica, Venice 

Frederic Leighton made this oil sketch of the interior of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice sometime in the nineteenth century. Leighton was interested in the play of light within the Basilica and the way it illuminates the religious imagery that adorns the walls and ceilings. St Mark's Basilica, of course, was historically the chapel of the Doge, the ruler of Venice, and it remains the most famous church in the city. During the period when this painting was made, Venice was under Austrian rule, a consequence of the Napoleonic Wars. We might then think of this painting as an attempt by Leighton to capture the essence of Venice’s cultural and religious identity. The use of gold leaf emphasizes the Basilica’s association with wealth and power. To understand this artwork fully, we can look at historical documents, architectural plans, and religious texts to enrich our appreciation of the painting and its context. Approaching art with a critical eye to its social and institutional setting can reveal so much!