Arts and Literature
“La Fenice.” Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 5 May 2013.
During the 1500’s, Venice was entering a time of great artistic energy. Architects, sculptors, and stonemasons built and designed the city’s greatest buildings, while decorators, plasterers, and woodworkers adorned the interiors of the buildings. Venice’s greatest legacy, however, was its painters. These Venetian painters are some of the greatest artists of all time: Jacopo Bellini, Andrea Mantegna, Vittore Carpaccio, Giorgione, Lorenzo Lotto, Paolo Veronese, and Tintoretto. Painting styles evolved throughout the different eras of the Republic of Venice. Some painting styles include during the time when the Byzantine Empire controlled Venice, in the early parts of the history of Venice, in which the paintings had a heavy influence from Byzantine traditions. Venetian painters consistently returned to the subject of the city itself and themes celebrating the city.
The Venetians love music and theatre. During the 1700’s, Venice’s most famous theater opened, the Teatro La Fenice (The Phoenix). In the seventeenth century, music was usually performed only at court; in Venice, there were 17 public theaters. Venice was one of the great musical centers of Europe. Among the most famous Venetian composers were Claudio Monteverdi, composer of many operas, and Antonio Vivaldi, composer of the famous music concerto “The Four Seasons.” Among the playwrights whose works were performed at La Fenice Theater, Carlo Goldoni is probably the most well known. Themes portraying civic pride are also prominent in music.
The Venetians love music and theatre. During the 1700’s, Venice’s most famous theater opened, the Teatro La Fenice (The Phoenix). In the seventeenth century, music was usually performed only at court; in Venice, there were 17 public theaters. Venice was one of the great musical centers of Europe. Among the most famous Venetian composers were Claudio Monteverdi, composer of many operas, and Antonio Vivaldi, composer of the famous music concerto “The Four Seasons.” Among the playwrights whose works were performed at La Fenice Theater, Carlo Goldoni is probably the most well known. Themes portraying civic pride are also prominent in music.