FRANCO, Giacomo
(b. 1550, Venezia, d. 1620, Venezia)

Illustration

1600-10
Engraving
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Venice

This engraving is an illustration in the book "Habiti d'huomeni et donne venetiane can la processione della serenissima signoria et altri particolari cioe trionfi feste ceremonie publiche della nobilissima città di Venetia", published in Venice, 1600s. It depicts cruel spectator sports organized by city officials in order to enable people to let of steam.

In the foreground young men run up of a bridge and leap to grasp a tethered goose by its neck; both successful and unsuccessful participants landed unceremoniously in the canal below. In the background spectators run from an enraged bull.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.