00:00The painting is by Canaletto, the greatest exponent of the view painting, or the vedute,
00:27in the 18th century, and it represents a view of Venice from the Bacino towards the Molo,
00:34towards the Doge's Palace, which is the principal element of the architectural backdrop.
00:40And it's painted to represent Ascension Day, the festival and feast of Ascension Day,
00:45when the Doge sailed in the Bucintoro, his gilded barge, which you see in the centre of the composition,
00:51out to the Lido, towards the Adriatic Sea, and whereupon he would cast a ring into the Adriatic
01:01to symbolise Venice's marriage to the sea.
01:05Ascension Day
01:15Ascension Day
01:17Ascension Day
01:19Ascension Day
01:20Ascension Day
01:21Ascension Day
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