Gondel met opbouw in het Canal Grande in Venetië c. 1914

Editor: This etching by Willem Witsen, dating from around 1914, depicts a gondola in the Canal Grande in Venice. There’s a melancholic mood here, almost ghostly, heightened by the reflections in the water. What stands out to you when you look at this print? Curator: It’s fascinating how Witsen captures the Venetian atmosphere. Notice the striped mooring poles? These are loaded with symbolism. The alternating colors – traditionally red and white – indicated the aristocratic lineage of the families whose palazzi lined the canals. They are visual anchors to a rich, complex past, aren’t they? Editor: Absolutely, I hadn’t thought about that level of detail. The figure looking out of the window – is that also significant? Curator: Indeed! It evokes a sense of voyeurism, a hidden life within those aged walls. Consider the window itself – a liminal space between the private and the public. This figure observing from above could be interpreted as the gaze of history itself, looking down upon the fleeting gondola, the transient present. Don’t you think? Editor: That’s a really insightful point about the figure representing history. I was so focused on the gondola that I almost missed the person completely. It really adds another layer to the story. Curator: Visual elements accumulate meanings, sometimes across generations. How do you feel the artist wants us to feel about Venice, witnessing this scene? Editor: Now I’m thinking less romantic and more…contemplative? It’s like a postcard hinting at so much more beneath the surface. Curator: Exactly! And that's the power of iconography, isn’t it? Revealing the depth within the seemingly simple image. Editor: This has totally shifted how I view the print; thanks so much! Curator: My pleasure; art unveils more each time you look.