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.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower left in plate: Jo. Bap. Moretti et Filii del. e Pinx.; lower right in plate: Jo. Bap. Brustoloni sculp.; across bottom in plate: Vesperi Diei Nativitatis Domini. Principe, Senatu comitante, auratis Naviliis Regio apparatu ad Ecclesiam S. Georgii Majoris proficiscente, Populus undequaque confluit. / Apud Ludovicum Furlanetto supra Pontem vulgo dictum dei Baretteri C.P.E.S.; by later hand, lower left in graphite: P8187

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.

Procession on Corpus Christi Day in the Piazza San Marco
Procession on Corpus Christi Day in the Piazza San Marco, Giovanni Battista Brustolon

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.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore?

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore was painted by Giovanni Battista Brustolon in 1779.

Where can I see Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore?

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore?

Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore?

Museum-quality prints of Christmas Eve Procession to San Giorgio Maggiore are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.