Pontifical Ceremony in SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, 1782
Francesco Guardi
1778–1788
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- Framed: 69.2 x 87 x 11.4 cm (27 1/4 x 34 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.); Unframed: 51.4 x 68.8 cm (20 1/4 x 27 1/16 in.)
- Genre
- Painting
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Tags
Italy, 18th century
About
The second scene in the series depicts Pius VI celebrating mass in the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, one of the largest churches in Venice and the pope’s residence during his stay. The mass included a performance of the Te Deum, a prayer of thanksgiving set to music by the Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741). Traditionally, the Te Deum was recited in thanks to God for a special blessing, including a papal election or a royal coronation, and thus was appropriate for this historic papal visit.
