Joseph Heintz the Younger

Private collection, Germany.

Battling with clubs in Venice was outlawed in 1574 after Henry III of France had witnessed a particularly violent display of this 'sport'. Fighting with fists continued to be extremely popular, however, and the boxing matches between the Nicoletti and Castellani became particularly celebrated. These took place generally in the period between September and the Carnival season, though less official outbursts occurred at any time in the year and were held either at the Ponte della Guerra in San Zulian, or (as in the present work) on the Ponte dei Pugni in San Barnaba. Both bridges had open fondamenta to either side, allowing plenty of room for the numerous spectators; the canal below had to be cleared of obstructions, and the worst of the mud removed, in an attempt to minimise the inevitable drownings - ten dead would be an average minimum. Once the umpires were in place the sport would commence with matches between ten or so of the best boxers from each team, accompanied by much beating of drums and blowing of trumpets. This would soon degenerate into the frotta - a free-for-all with, firstly, other team members, and then members of the public and passers-by all joining in, whilst spectators from the balconies and roofs above might throw heavy objects or boiling water at the crowd. The sport was finally banned in 1705 to much popular regret, as were paintings of the subject.