Venice - Then and Now
Venice is a city in northern Italy, and the capital of the Veneto region. During the 1700s, Venice became one of Europe’s most elegant and refined cities, and had a great influence on art, architecture and literature. However, in 1797, when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio, Venice became Austrian territory. Shortly after that, the city fell into a serious decline, with many old palaces and other palaces being abandoned and falling into a state of disrepair.
Today, Venice is regarded as one of the world’s artistic and architectural treasures. Since the 19th Century, tourism has been a large contributor to the local economy, and attracted 14 million tourists per year by the end of the 20th Century. Venice was designated a World Heritage site in 1987.
Today, Venice is regarded as one of the world’s artistic and architectural treasures. Since the 19th Century, tourism has been a large contributor to the local economy, and attracted 14 million tourists per year by the end of the 20th Century. Venice was designated a World Heritage site in 1987.
FashionAt the beginning of the 1700s, the typical outfit for a man included a full-skirted knee-length coat, waistcoat, frilly linen shirt and knee breeches. The lower legs were an important part of the silhouette, and silk stockings were worn with heeled leather shoes. The ensemble was topped off with a shoulder length wig and a hat with three corners and an upturned brim – called a tricorne.
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Women would wear a ‘mantua’ for formal occasions. This was a silk gown with an open front and matching petticoat. To accentuate the figure of the woman, corsets were generally worn under the bodice of the dress. It was made of linen and was stiffened by whale bones, and was fastened by lacing down the back.
DanceDance in the baroque period were generally split into two types – social (ballroom), or theatrical (ballet). It was done to music such as minutes, gigues and gavottes. The basic types of moves and steps were used in both types of baroque dance, however theatrical dance would be more intricate and virtuosic. The minuet was the longest lasting ballroom dance, and lasted until late 18th century, and the theatrical style of baroque dance would eventually evolve into modern ballet.
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ArchitectureBaroque architecture was an extremely popular form of architecture in Italy in the 18th century. Distinctive features of baroque architecture include tall domes, twisted columns, grand stairways, curved walls and complicated, extravagant shapes. Italian Baroque Architecture, in particular, conveyed an air of grandeur and dignity that rendered a style of its own kind. The four greatest Italian architects were Bernini, Borromini, Pietro da Cortona and Guarino Guarini.
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ArtIn the 17th and 18th century, the Roman Catholic Church undertook an ambitious programme to make Rome the most magnificent city on earth. Many artists received commissions to decorate church interiors with paintings and sculptures.
In the 1700s, Venice became an important centre for art. Giambattista Tiepolo, the last great painter in the tradition of Michaelangelo and Raphael, was from here. In Venice, a group of artists called vedutisti, or view painters, flourished. Antonio Canalae and Francesco Guardi were the most popular vedutisti artists. |