Scala dei Giganti, Palazzo Ducale

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Artist/Maker Carlo Ponti (Italian, 1820 – 1893)

Dateunknown

MediumAlbumen print on paper

DimensionsComposition/Sheet: 10 1/2 in. × 14 in. (26.7 × 35.6 cm) Support: 12 1/8 × 17 3/8 in. (30.8 × 44.1 cm)

Credit LineGift of David, Class of 1978, and Shelley Garfinkel

Object number1990.4.6

Not on view

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Additional Details

Provenance 1990: Hamilton College (Fred L. Emerson Gallery), by gift of David A. and Shelley Spector Garfinkel

Markings Blind stamp at lower left: CARLO PONTI / VENEZIA

Signature Signed with embossed seal at lower left: CARLO PONTI / VENEZIA

Inscribed Inscribed in typeset on verso at upper center: N. 357. - Scala dei Giganti, e facciata occidentale interna / del palazzo Ducale (dalla corte dei Senatori); in typeset on verso at right side: The giant's staircase so called from the two colossal sta- / tues by Sansovino, Mars and Neptun 1554, was built by / Antonio Rizzo 1485, in the renaissance style. The balau- / strades and the steps are sculpted with very elegant and different designs, by Bernardino di Mantova. On top of / it was crowned the newly elected Doge. Before this stair- / case was erected, there was another one on the same spot, and on this last one, The Doge Marin Faliero was executed / the year 1354. Over the giants staircase is the magnificent / facade of the Doges Palace, for which became famous its / architect, Antonio Rizzo, and which is known, as one of the / most remarkables. It was begun from the angle near the apse / of St. Mark and carried on to the wall of the golden stairs, / as it is shown by the arms of the Doge Barbarigo at the 1t. / story, which marks the accomplishment in 1501 by Pietro / Lombardo after the flight of Rizzo, who had commited in 1498 / a froud of more than 10000 ducats. The rest of the facade / was restaured by Scarpagnino (1546-56). it is one of the / most magnificent works of the italian architecture. The ar- / chitects have employed all the ornaments which could sym- / bolize the power, the wealthiness of the maritime position of the Republic. There are arms, trophys, shields, laurel / crowns, war stores, eagles, engel heads, chimeras, lions, / fishing, tools, pateras, fruits and others productions of agri- / culture etc. All that gives to this facade the character, / which may be found only in this specimen of architecture.; in typeset on verso left side: [French for inscription above]; in pencil on verso at lower left: Ja / 75.