The Eastern influence on Venetian architecture is readily visible throughout the city and creates a stunning effect that is unique to the landscape, look and character of Venice. As a result, there is a distinct atmosphere about the city that, coupled with her famous canals, means you will never mistake Venice for anywhere else. Just find a vacation rental in Veneto and come see if for yourself.
Buildings of the early fifteenth century such as the Ca' D'oro feature Islamic motifs and decorative features, brought about by trade and interaction with the East; ogee arches, mihrab windows and rich foliate carvings, as well as multicoloured stones that come together to create a beautifully ornate Gothic facade. The important landmarks of the city, such as the Doge's Palace and San Marco, are all Gothic or clad in Gothic skins. It was not ignorance that lead to the decision to continue using Gothic forms in Venice, and the north of Italy in general, beyond its natural lifespan, but choice.
Furthermore, this lingering of the Gothic makes for a less stoic and grand architectural character and, instead, something more gilded and ornate.
Buildings of the early fifteenth century such as the Ca' D'oro feature Islamic motifs and decorative features, brought about by trade and interaction with the East; ogee arches, mihrab windows and rich foliate carvings, as well as multicoloured stones that come together to create a beautifully ornate Gothic facade. The important landmarks of the city, such as the Doge's Palace and San Marco, are all Gothic or clad in Gothic skins. It was not ignorance that lead to the decision to continue using Gothic forms in Venice, and the north of Italy in general, beyond its natural lifespan, but choice.
Furthermore, this lingering of the Gothic makes for a less stoic and grand architectural character and, instead, something more gilded and ornate.
Gothic forms were never truly abandoned but lingered so that a facade or interior may be very much of the Renaissance but can be influenced by a tone of the Gothic.
The churches of San Zaccaria and San Michele in Isola, for example, are steps towards the prevailing Renaissance architecture but never quite shake Gothic decorative motifs and proportions. The facade of San Michele features elongated, arched windows, decidedly Gothic sculptural detailing above the entrance and atop the semi-circular pediment and a rose window.
San Zaccaria has a similar curiously abstracted temple-front facade and has even more elongated proportions with vertical emphasis.
The churches of San Zaccaria and San Michele in Isola, for example, are steps towards the prevailing Renaissance architecture but never quite shake Gothic decorative motifs and proportions. The facade of San Michele features elongated, arched windows, decidedly Gothic sculptural detailing above the entrance and atop the semi-circular pediment and a rose window.
San Zaccaria has a similar curiously abstracted temple-front facade and has even more elongated proportions with vertical emphasis.
Sculptural details at each level and the thin colonettes which adorn the facade and carry arches are both more reminiscent of Gothic sources.
For more about the city of Venice and her unique look, be sure to read on to the next post in this series.
For more about the city of Venice and her unique look, be sure to read on to the next post in this series.
