Venetia Edificata 1624

This engraving, Venetia Edificata, comes to us from the mind of Giulio Strozzi. Its imagery invites us to consider the construction of Venice, not just as a physical space, but as a cultural and political entity. The image presents a striking contrast: in the foreground, a woman strains under the weight of a beam, embodying the labor required to build a city, while behind her, a bustling naval scene unfolds, full of armed boats and spectators. This contrast highlights how deeply Venice was embedded in the politics of trade and warfare. The posture of the laboring woman hints at the burdens and sacrifices, often unseen, that underpin national identity. Through the figures represented in this engraving, Strozzi’s work subtly asks: who benefits from the idea of Venice, and at what cost? The artist pushes us to reflect on what it means to build, to celebrate, and to remember.