Venetian Filigree a.k.a. Cà D’Oro Venetia

 

John Taylor Arms

  1887 - 1953 (biography)

1931  

etching 

10 5/8 x 10 13/16" platemark 

pencil, lower right 

150 

pencil dated 1931 after the signature; also inscribed: Ed. 100 

Fletcher 235; Italian series 20; Arms 237; LOC 505; illustrated on page 117 in Denker's "Reflections & Undercurrents: Ernest Roth and Printmaking in Venice, 1900-1940" 

ivory laid with DARD HUNTER watermark 

ii/ii 

artist 

24603 

$9,000.00 

A stunning homage to Gothic architecture, John Taylor Arms’ “Venetian Filigree” embodies his admiration of the building design and execution he considered the greatest feat of humankind’s innovation. From entire structures to the smallest gargoyle, Venice’s intricate stonework from the Gothic era was a major focus of Arms’ artistic output and, as evidenced in this work, he strove to convey as much care and integrity in his depictions of the structures as the architects and builders had themselves.

The Ca’ d’Oro, also known as Palazzo Santa Sophia, was built on the edge of the Grand Canal in Venice, situated where it would best be mirrored on the surface of the water. Built in the 15th century for the Contarini family, the name Ca’ d’Oro (“golden house”) referred to the gilt and polychrome decor that once adorned its intricate facade. The palace has gone through several periods of disrepair and renovation, and after its full restoration in the early 20th century by baron Giorgio Franchetti, it was given to the Italian government and turned into a museum. It remains one of the finest structures of the Venetian Gothic era.