Félix Ziem (French, 1821-1911)

After studying architecture in Dijon, Ziem worked as a surveyor on the construction of the Marseille canal, before his watercolours attracted the patronage of Ferdinand-Philippe, Duc d'Orléans. In 1842, he visited Italy for the first time and fell in love with Venice. Ziem travelled to Venice numerous times between 1842 and 1897, sometimes painting from a floating studio on a gondola. His views of Venice are known to be his most compelling and sought-after compositions.
The present lot glorifies both Venice’s architecture and festivities. Vibrant red flags lash in the wind to the right of the composition drawing our eyes up and towards the parallel verticals in the distance – the columns of St Mark and St Theodore with St Mark’s tower in the distance. Meanwhile, the moving red flags juxtapose the reverent yet jubilant procession as St George takes centre stage before Saint Mark’s Basilica.

We are grateful to The Association Félix Ziem, represented by Mathias Ary Jan, David Pluskwa and Gérard Fabre, for confirming the authenticity of this work.