Francesco Zanin

The canvas has been strip-lined along all four tacking edges. As just visible in the catalogue illustration, there is some scattered faint hairline craquelure consistent with a painting of this age. Ultraviolet light reveals strokes of retouching predominantly in the sky, with a few scattered strokes below the horizon in the pale grey cover of the boat moored in the extreme lower right corner and some minor signs in the paving. There are some small scattered areas which fluoresce green under ultraviolet light, however these appear to be traces of old residual varnish and not retouching. This painting is in good condition and ready to hang. Held in a decorative gilt frame with foliate motifs. The catalogue illustration is overall quite an accurate representation of the original.
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The present work depicts the departure of the Bucintoro from San Marco to San Nicoló del Lido during the celebrations for the Ascension (the Sensa for the Venetians) and is one of the most significant known works by the Venetian vedutista Francesco Zanin. After his death Francesco Zanin fell into obscurity and has only recently been recovered, particularly thanks to Fabrizio Magani’s book Francesco Zanin. Un 'Canaletto' nell’Ottocento (Milan, 2008).

The present work depicts the first phase of the celebration of the Ascension in Venice when the Doge's ceremonial vessel, the Bucintoro, escorted by a myriad of gondolas belonging to the patrician families and to the ambassadors of the Republic, sailed towards the harbour of San Nicoló del Lido. There the ritual of the marriage between Venice and the sea – the main source of  wealth for the city - took place. Portraying this phase of the celebration are many paintings of the most renowned eighteenth century vedutisti from Veneto, from Carlevarijs to Canaletto to Francesco Guardi. 

In The Departure of the Bucintoro from San Marco to San Nicoló del Lido, Zanin depicts the colourful massing of the crowd on the Paglia harbour and along the wharf. The crowd, the flotilla of gondolas and the wonderful architectural elements which work as a beautiful setting for the celebration, all serve to show off Zanin's masterful style.