Artwork

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore, by Giovanni Battista Brustolon, ink, 1779
Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore, by Giovanni Battista Brustolon, ink, 1779

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Battista Brustolon. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore is a print created by Giovanni Battista Brustolon in 1779, utilizing etching and engraving techniques on laid paper to depict a vibrant Venetian scene.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a dusk scene on a Venetian waterfront on Christmas Eve, juxtaposing the lively procession of people and boats with the looming, serene presence of San Giorgio Maggiore church across the water, evoking a blend of festivity and contemplation.

Technique & Style

Brustolon employed fine etching and engraving lines to achieve meticulous detail, from the textures of clothing and water ripples to the architectural intricacies, contributing to a sense of depth and atmospheric tension under the darkening sky.

History & Provenance

Created in 1779, specific provenance details are not provided, though the work reflects Brustolon's skill in capturing Venetian life and landscapes during the late 18th century.

Context

This work situates itself within the tradition of Venetian veduta (view) painting and printmaking, which often emphasized the city's unique topography and atmospheric effects, here heightened by the Christmas Eve context.

Legacy

While specific legacy details are not provided, the print exemplifies the enduring appeal of Venetian scenes and the technical prowess of 18th-century printmakers, influencing later depictions of nocturnal and festive themes.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.