Underneath Day's Azure Eyes

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Underneath Day's azure eyes,
Ocean's nursling, Venice lies,
A peopled labyrinth of walls,
Amphitrite's destined halls.

-Shelley, Percy Bysshe

We stayed at the Hotel Danieli, the oldest in the city - the first photo you are looking at is the view from the first floor. It was built in the 1400s, and is near to a now defunct prison where we were told Casanova had escaped from. Filled with red carpets, chandeliers, sweeping drapes on long windows, and antiques, the old-world charm permeated our romantic stay. Even the keys to the Danieli rooms dangle from a very large red tassel, and we were always trying to find a place to tuck it away, so imagine our surprise when we found we had accidentally brought it with us after arriving back in Rome. We couldn't imagine how to mail it, but it makes for a nostalgic souvenir.

All of Venice gives the sense of having stepped into an oil painting; paint peeling and cracked on impressionist-shaded buildings and water reflections make the scene appear as if it were done with a palette knife. The ubiquitious gondola is inevitably navigated by a lithe and acrobatic individual, and we saw one run deftly over the tops of parked gondolas to reach his.







Look for more of our pictorial of Venice in the weeks to come.

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Photos

Hotel Danieli
Circa 1400s

Old World Charm
Shades and silhouettes of a bygone era

Venice Twilight
A beautiful photo taken by my beloved

Masks
In the shop of the extroardinary artisan, Hamid, who spoke Persian with us

Hamid's Theatre
Every mask brimmed with his talent and skill

The Maskmaker
Hamid was most certainly the best maskmaker in Venice.

Venetian Streets
Are for sailing...

Deft Gondola Chauffeur
As he makes his way through this palette knife oil painting

Narrow Passageways
A rower abandons his oar and grabs onto the wall

Window Dressing
Characteristic of Venice, shop windows are decorated with a flair for the extraordinary

Winged Lion And Astrological Wheel
Features of buildings in the town center

Winged Lion
Long the symbol of Venice

Lady of the Roses
A petite shrine with Venetian lace and rose to Our Lady

Arched Passageway
Terra cottas and pastels in the afternoon shadows

Front Doors
Not a place to sent the dog or cat out...

Working With Pastels
A June morning in Venice

Reflections and Impressions
A partially altered photo, showing the magnificence of the unaltered

Palette Knife
Some special effects producing a spectacular result.