Dining Room View, Titian's Palace, Venice, Italy
Date2000, printed c. 2002
Artist
Ralph Gibson
(American photographer, born 1939)
MediumChromogenic color print
Dimensionsimage: 17 15/16 × 12 3/16 in. (45.6 × 31 cm)
sheet: 19 15/16 × 15 15/16 in. (50.6 × 40.5 cm)
sheet: 19 15/16 × 15 15/16 in. (50.6 × 40.5 cm)
Credit LineGift of Daniel Calacci, 2003
Object number2003-30.1
On View
Not on viewClassificationsPHOTOGRAPH
Label TextDuring the Crusades, Venice was a primary source of funds for Europe's military expeditions. It was also a key supplier of ships, arms and siege engines. The rulers and merchants of Venice considered their participation as an investment which was repaid in the form of valuable and exclusive trade agreements with the Near East-the most important contracts dealt with spices. Pepper was worth its weight in gold and used a form of currency. Each year at the height of its power Venice would import over 2,500 tons of pepper and ginger, which was sold to the flavor-starved cooks of Europe at a considerable profit.—Burt Wolf
