Walter Richard Sickert

St Mark’s, Venice (Pax Tibi Marce Evangelista Meus)

1896

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

Not on display

Artist: Walter Richard Sickert 1860–1942
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: Support: 908 × 1200 mm
frame: 1223 × 1513 × 70 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Bequeathed by General Sir Ian Hamilton GCB, GCMG, DSO 1949
Reference: N05914

Display caption

Sickert first visited Venice in 1895. He painted St Mark's basilica several times under different conditions, possibly inspired by Monet's paintings of Rouen Cathedral, which he had seen in Paris. However, unlike Monet, he was not concerned with fleeting effects of light. Instead, he concentrated on the structure and mosaics, using the light to accentuate the sparkling gold pinnacles and to emphasise the spirituality of the basilica. This is Sickert's largest and most elaborate depiction of the front elevation. The title includes the Latin motto of the city: 'Peace be unto to you, Mark, my Evangelist'. The picture was first exhibited at the New English Art Club in 1897.

Gallery label, September 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.