Curatorial Notes
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.
Artwork Identification
Title Pontifical Ceremony in Saints Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, 1782
Title (PT) Cerimônia Pontifícia em Santos Giovanni e Paolo, Veneza, 1782
Title (ES) Ceremonia pontificia en los Santos Giovanni e Paolo, Venecia, 1782
Artist Francesco Guardi
Artist Bio Francesco Guardi (Italian, 1712–1793)
Date c. 1783
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Cleveland Museum of Art
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
