Images of Venice

Images of Venice – Beautiful photography of Venice and highly informative posts; let you discover and experience this city in a unique way.

See and experience all the elements, colour, texture and detail that characterise this historic city and get a better understanding and appreciation of its history and rich cultural heritage.

Currently 52 themed Galleries, with over 900 exhibition quality images and 189 highly informative and illustrated posts; provide a unique non-commercial “go-to” resource, for lovers of Venice and fine photography. I hope that this approach, is what sets this website apart; from the plethora of more tourist-based sites available online.

Venice is said to be one of the world’s most photographed cities. The wide range of themes presented, not seen in other Venice sites; will give you both the ideas and the inspiration; to improve your own photography and help develop a more “personal vision”.

Research and planning is key: the more you know about Venice; the better your experience and enjoyment will be and the more productive your photography will become. This is especially relevant if your time is limited in the city.

Successful photography, requires raising your awareness and learning to “see”, rather than “look”. Be more selective in your approach – “less” is often “more”. It is often about learning to take images, that most others would pass by.

 In Venice, you also need learn to adapt your photography, both to the ever-changing weather conditions and the hordes of humanity; that descends on the city every day!

Why Venice”? I love Venice because it is unique – there is nothing like it in the world. A network of canals and walk-ways, formed from around 200 small islands linked by numerous bridges; all floating in the middle of its own lagoon. Who could ever imagine, that out a malarial infected swamp of low level islands, would rise such a Republic; that has given us a culture of great architecture, art, music and much more. The Republic survived and thrived for more than five centuries, because of its political, economic and naval prowess; until its slow decline and the eventual fall of the Republic.

To me, Venice is all about relationships and balance: “man v nature”; “triumph over adversity”; “survival v decline”; “the state, church and its people”; “east v west”; “permanence v transience” and “romance v reality”.

It’s a city of “stone, water, colour and texture”; all modulated by time and weather. Popular current mantras are “changing place – changing time – changing thoughts – changing future” and “adapting for the 21st century”.

Historically, all the great civilisations have inevitably declined. Look at what’s happening to our current world. We all need to learn from history, to move forward into the future; if we are to survive. For me, Venice, of all the great cities; brings this fact into focus.

 Ian Coulling is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (rps.org), awarded in 1985 for his contribution to the field of Pictorial Photography. He is proud to be associated with the world’s most prestigious photographic society; founded in 1853 and granted a Royal Charter in 2004.

“With an impassioned eye and creative sensitivity, Ian Coulling offers a personal vision of this unique place; revealing hidden and often transient details frequently overlooked by visitors and image makers. The Art of Photography is not only to document, but to offer both experience and sensation. To him, this unique historic city is the most beautiful and interesting place in the world. A jewel in the crown of Italy. One of unsurpassable beauty tinged with picturesque decay – giving a romantic ambience so loved by travellers, writers, poets and artists, over the centuries. ­ ­­Despite all its problems Venice is still is a living and vibrant city, coming to terms with and adapting to the 21st Century”.

Images of Venice – Access an “at a glance” index of all my blog posts: HERE 

NEW POSTS FOR 2022:

March 1st 2022.  – The introductory “Venice Museum Guide”; together with 25 published posts, from my list of recommendations. Each post contains: comprehensive descriptive information, their official websites with the latest information about visiting and any current health regulations required for entry, together with links to all the featured museums . Also included, are links to my own relevant published posts, as well as attractions in each of Venice’s six districts. All the background information necessary; to widen your experience and enjoyment of your visit.

March 13th 2022. Just posted “Byron in Venice”. As famous for his notorious private life as for his work, this post describes his eventful life; including his Venetian stay. 

March 18th 2022. Just posted “Wagner in Venice”. The famous German composer; visited the city six times, between 1858 and his death in 1883. To him, Venice was his oasis for inspiration. His final and most significant stay was in September of 1882, when he and Cosima, his second wife and family, over-wintered in Venice. He rented the entire mezzanine floor of the “Palazzo Vendramin Calergi”, on the Grand Canal, where he later died. Venice is associated with Tristan und Isolde, part of which Wagner wrote there and with Parsifal, his final opera. The Wagner Museum, opened at the palace in 1995; now part of the Venice Casino. Its holdings constitute the largest private collection dedicated to Wagner, outside of Bayreuth.

April 17th 2022. Just posted “Tempera Painting on Wooden Panels”, This was the main medium used up to and including the Early Renaissance; for portable smaller scale paintings. Moving from the late Medieval into the Early Italian Renaissance period of the 15th century; saw tempera painting rise to new levels of beauty and outstanding technique. In the early 16th century, artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, developed the basic technique further. They sought to bridge the gap between the newly introduced oil paints; with their qualities of radiance, intensity, contrast and ability to blend the colours directly on the support media. This post describes the highly skilled preparation of the wooden panel and the techniques of tempera painting and gilding; illustrated by the work of renowned artists of the period covered.

May 5th 2022. The new posts: “Palazzo Lezze and Alchemic Symbolism“. This baroque palace in Cannaregio, features curious high reliefs; that are alchemical in theme.  It was thought by some to be suggestive of a significant “Philosopher’s House”.  “La Maddalena and Masonic Symbolism”. This small church in Cannaregio, is notable for its unusual round form and masonic symbolism. “Eye of the Triangle”. Inherited from pharaonic Egypt, it symbolises in Christian temples; the Trinity and God’s omnipresence and divine Providence. Later, it was adopted into Masonic tradition signifying the Grand Architect of the Universe – the Supreme Surveyor.  “Kabbalah and San Francesco della Vigna”. This church in Castello; was built according to Pythagorean Kabbalistic musical tradition. The aim was for the church to “entirely reflect the harmony of the universe“; as described by hermetic writers.

May 18th 2022. Just posted “The Silk Trade of Venice”. This comprehensive post covers the origins and development of this important Venetian industry and evidence that can still be found today; of a once thriving trade and of the immigrant community from Lucca in Tuscany.

May 23rd 2022. Just posted  “Symbolism of the Venetian Cross”. In Venice, you may sometimes notice unusual crosses, with arms that end up in rounded forms. These rounded forms, are essentially stylisations of the “fleur-de-lis (or lys)”, an iris or lily like flower emblem, found in diverse cultures, as far back as in ancient civilisations. Today, the fleur-de-lis is an iconic symbol that permeates modern culture. The post discusses its historical origins, in various civilisations throughout the world.

May 29th 2022. Just posted  “The “Ospedali Grandi of Venice”. They were charitable hospices, providing social assistance for the sick and needy and renowned for music-making. The four Great Hospitals, were the Ospedale della Pietà, the Ospedale degl’Incurabili, the Ospedale di Santa Maria dei Derelitti and the Ospedale di San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti.

June 4th 2022. Just posted, “Casinos and Ridotti of Venice”. These were private places where select company used to meet, talk, gamble and enjoy themselves; especially at night. The origins of “casinos” and “ridotti” in Venice, go back to the 13th century. Venetians had a great passion for gambling, so for the upper classes, security and anonymity was important; especially those involved in romantic assignations and “pleasures of the flesh”. Regulated and banned, yet they still kept growing in number, until 1638 when these gambling establishments were licenced. Onc such establishment was simply called “Il Ridotto” and was Europe’s first state owned gambling establishment; becoming internationally famous. Today in Venice, only one establishment remains for gambling: Ca’ Vendramin Calergi – “Casino di Venezia”

June 9th 2022. Just posted, “Palazzo Agnusdio – Religious Symbolism”. This palace in San Croce, features unique decoration of the “Lamb of God” and the “Four Evangelists”. The post discusses their significance and why historically, there are four evangelists and also, the origins of the living creature symbols, assigned to each of the four evangelists.