The Venetians Defend Themselves against the Siege of Pippin c. 1579 - 1580

Palma il Giovane rendered "The Venetians Defend Themselves against the Siege of Pippin" in ink and wash, a medium well-suited to the dynamism of the scene. It evokes the early medieval period, referencing the siege of Venice by Pippin, son of Charlemagne, in the early 9th century. Created in Venice, likely during the late 16th or early 17th century, this artwork is steeped in the city's self-fashioning. Venice, a powerful maritime republic, cultivated a myth of its own invincibility and divine favor. Scenes of military triumph and resilience were common, reinforcing a sense of civic pride and collective identity. The choice of subject matter, a moment of Venetian resistance, is telling. It speaks to the enduring importance of defending the city's independence, both from external enemies and internal threats to its social order. In understanding the cultural history, we can look at the Republic’s records and see how the founding myths became important to the State. Through this process, the artwork and artist, played an important role in shaping and preserving the social memory of the city.