Osenat
140
-
18th-century ITALIAN school, follower of Michele Giovanni Ma…
See original version (French)
140
-
18th-century ITALIAN school, follower of Michele Giovanni Ma…
See original version (French)
Estimate €1,200 - €1,500
Voluntary lot
Description
18th-century ITALIAN school, follower of Michele Giovanni Marieschi (1696–1743)
La Sensa
Oil on canvas
H_36.5 cm W_42.5 cm
Restorations
Our composition depicts the Sensa, the Doge’s marriage to the sea, an
iconic tradition of the city of Venice. This ceremony symbolises the
Republic of Venice’s dominion over the waters.
On this occasion, the Doge throws a gold ring into the sea whilst uttering the
Latin phrase: ‘Desponsamus te, mare, in signum veri perpetuique dominii’,
which means: ‘We wed you, sea, as a sign of true and perpetual
dominion’.
The ceremony centres on the splendid Bucentaur in the foreground,
a vessel used exclusively for this celebration. A vessel of extraordinary luxury, it took
its name from its centaur-shaped figurehead and was used by the Doge to
perform the symbolic act of casting the gold ring into the Adriatic Sea.
Our work depicts this defining moment in Venetian life, which marked the day
of the Ascension for nearly six centuries, until the invasion by
Bonaparte’s troops in 1797.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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