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Artwork

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782

Francesco Guardi , 1792

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782, by Francesco Guardi, oil, 1792
Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782, by Francesco Guardi, oil, 1792

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782 is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Francesco Guardi. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition balances architectural precision with a luminous color scheme, characteristic of late 18th-century Venetian vedute.

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, reflecting Guardi's veduta style with atmospheric handling and fluid brushwork that captures the ceremonial procession within the Doge's hall. The composition balances architectural precision with a luminous color scheme, characteristic of late 18th-century Venetian vedute. The canvas measures 51.4 cm in height and 68.8 cm in width, confirming its large-scale presentation suitable for a formal ceremonial scene.

The handling of light emphasizes the spatial depth of the hall, while the stylized figures convey a ceremonial solemnity through restrained gestures and drapery. The surface retains its original oil-rich texture, showing minimal degradation, which underscores the painting's well-preserved condition within the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.

The formal qualities highlight Guardi's synthesis of Venetian coloristic tradition with a more linear draftsmanship, producing a balanced composition that integrates architectural detail with narrative movement.

History & Provenance

The painting was created by Francesco Guardi in 1783, depicting the 1782 event of Pope Pius VI's visit to Venice. The work is executed in oil on canvas and measures 51.4 cm in height by 68.8 cm in width. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The painting is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under the accession number 1949.187.1. According to the museum's catalogue, the work is classified as an oil painting and dated 1783.

The Wikidata entry for the painting confirms its placement in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection and reiterates the accession number 1949.187.1. No prior ownership history or earlier exhibition venues are documented in the available sources.

Overview

Francesco Guardi’s oil on canvas, titled Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS Giovanni e Paolo, was completed in 1792. The composition records a formal farewell ceremony in Venice’s grand hall, capturing the moment the pontiff steps down from his throne before the city’s ruler. Guardi, a late‑period representative of the Venetian school, rendered the scene with a light, airy touch characteristic of his mature style.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays Pope Pius VI as he lowers himself from a ceremonial throne to bid farewell to the Doge of Venice. Attendants in period dress line the vast hall, their gazes directed toward the papal figure, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the encounter. The work celebrates the ritualized interaction between the spiritual authority of the papacy and the secular power of the Venetian Republic.

Context

Created during the waning years of the Venetian Republic, the work reflects a period of heightened ceremonial display as the city negotiated its relationship with the papacy. Guardi, originally known for vedute of Venice’s canals, turned to historical and courtly subjects in his later career, integrating the grandeur of state occasions with his characteristic atmospheric approach.

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782
Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782, Francesco Guardi

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francesco Guardi

Artist

Francesco Guardi

Francesco Lazzaro Guardi (Italian pronunciation:; 5 October 1712 – 1 January 1793) was an Italian painter, nobleman, and a member of the Venetian School.

MORE BY FRANCESCO GUARDI

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782?

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782 was painted by Francesco Guardi in 1783-01-01.

Where can I see Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782?

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782 is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782?

Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782 is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782?

Museum-quality prints of Pope Pius VI Descending the Throne to Take Leave of the Doge in the Hall of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1782 are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.