Pontifical Ceremony in SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, 1782 c. 1783

Francesco Guardi captured a Pontifical Ceremony in SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, in 1782 using oil on canvas. Guardi situates us in the heart of Venice during a time of shifting social structures. It’s a time of decaying aristocratic power, reflected here by the somber mood of this ceremony, and the artist's loose brushwork mirrors the city’s own instability. It is interesting to reflect on who is represented and who is not. Guardi paints a sea of red robes and dark suits, a clear marker of status and power. Consider who is absent here – the working class, the women, the marginalized communities that formed the backbone of Venice. The sweeping arches and grand architecture dwarf the figures, emphasizing the overwhelming power of the church and state. Guardi seems to be asking us to reflect on the relationship between spectacle, power, and the individual experience within a society on the brink of change.