The Origin of Venice According to the City’s Chronicle Tradition and the “Venetian Myth”

Abstract

The article examines the historiographic and artistic bases of the “Venetian Myth” and traces the long history of its creation and existence in culture (from the 10th to the 20th century). The process of Venice’s “appropriation” of its ancient (antique) past is analyzed: the city’s humble origin, associated with the process and consequences of the Migration Period. In the chronicle tradition of Venice, it was gradually “offset” through conscious myth-building and creation of art objects serving as visual incarnation of the narrative. not only Saint Mark’s inseparable relationship to the republic became an inherent part of the “Venetian Myth” but also the story of its foundation by the Trojans. after 1204, the line of imperial heritage was developed, and Venice appeared as a new rome. The “Venetian Myth” was gradually supplemented and complicated; its formation was generally complete by the 16th century, in the renaissance. The Myth’s main parts are: the idea of Venice’s unique geographic location (island state), its economy (the richest city of the world, the center of international trade), its form of government (the republic with the most wise political constitution, the reign of public consent) and its cultural significance (the city full of beautiful artworks, the pilgrimage center). after the collapse of the republic (1797) the “Venetian Myth” continued to be a significant cultural ideologeme and was used for illustration and substantiation of some different political concepts. The conclusions of this article can be used in further studies of Venetian history and contribute to more profound understanding of some peculiarities of its art and culture in general.