Vasari who writes of Veronese having painted 'the facade of a merchant's house between S.Maurizio and S. Moisè, a beautiful work which, however, is gradually being destroyed by the sea air'( Vasari, Le Vite, Testo V.378). In a letter to his father dated 4 October 1845, (in Shapiro, Ruskin in Italy: Letters to his parents 1845, p. 219) Ruskin suggests that 'Salt & wind & rain do nothing compared to men'. However, Vasari makes it clear that the process of natural 'degradation' started much earlier than Ruskin suggests. Ruskin seems to underestimate the damage caused to frescoes by the Venetian climate.
Pignatti, and Pedrocco, Veronese, p. 97 and following, discuss of Veronese frescoes. For a discussion of the external frescoes of Venice, including a list of those still visible in 1936, photographs of buildings and reproductions of engravings see Foscari, Affreschi Esterni a Venezia, and in particular the chapter on Veronese starting at page 73.
Paolo Caliari (Veronese) 1528-88
Two figures c.1508
Pigment on wet plaster, size unknown
Further Comments: This German Exchange was also decorated by Titian and Giorgione. In Ruskin's time, the state of the fresco was poor and just traceable. Today, it is no longer visible. It is thought that Ruskin got his knowledge of these works from Zanetti's engravings. Go to www.hotelgiorgione.it/tedi.htm for an example of a Zanetti engraving.
Collection: Fondaco dei Tedeschi, Venice
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