Venice 1493

Editor: This is a woodcut print of Venice, by Michel Wolgemuth. It's fascinating to see how cities were represented through printmaking. What can you tell us about its historical context? Curator: Considering this image exists within a book suggests its primary function was to disseminate knowledge and shape perceptions of Venice. How might this image have influenced the understanding, or even the fantasies, of those who had never visited the city? Editor: That's an interesting point. It's like a form of early visual journalism, shaping public opinion. Curator: Exactly. The distribution of these images played a crucial role in constructing the image of Venice across Europe. I wonder what other cities were illustrated in this book? Editor: It really highlights the power of images in shaping our understanding of the world. Curator: Indeed, especially before photography!