Der Bacino di San Marco an Christi Himmelfahrt

Venice: The Basin of San Marco on Ascension Day

This painting shows the annual ceremony which symbolised the marriage of Venice to the sea. The Doge is leaving his palace; his golden parasol can be seen in the crowd. He will be rowed out to sea in his state barge, the Bucintoro (moored at the quay), so that he can throw a gold ring into the Adriatic.