Jeeves Hat: Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Venice

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Venice – Giordano and Titian masterpieces

Note: I originally visited Venice in July 2022; and then immediately afterwards started my degree at Cambridge. Having finished that degree - and now having some free time this summer - I plan to go through my archive and revisit it all for this blog.

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For me, this Basilica (Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute) was an absolute delight; bewitching and captivating. This beautiful silhouette had already been imprinted onto my mind through Turner; and so I was delighted to visit this Baroque paragon.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is in the Dorsoduro district of Venice. It's situated at the mouth of the Grand Canal and is responsible for the imposing iconic Venetian silhouette visible from the San Marco waterfront. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and commemorates the 46,000 Venetians who died in the second plague that began with the Black Death around 1631. It took 50 years to complete.

The first thing to say is that it is thriving Catholic Church with worshipers usually in attendance. So, you have to be careful not to be too 'touristy' and respectful etc. Otherwise, there was a small fee. I was expecting to find it overcrowded, but it was very quiet and tranquil. As such, you could easily quietly appreciate its splendour and charm.

Next, it houses notable masterpieces of the 16th-century.

Luca Giordano, Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple.

Giordano's rendering of the classic painting of the Virgin entering the temple in Jerusalem aged three. You can see her in blue robes being blessed and welcomed. It's beautiful, as is the illusion of depth.

Luca Giordano, The Assumption of Mary.

Another Giordano.

Luca Giordano, The Birth of the Virgin.

This alter-piece's subject is the birth of the Virgin overseen by angels in Heaven and the Almighty holding a globe. Baby Mary is surrounded by attentive and pretty girls kneeling. It's very graceful and stately.

Josse de Corte, The Queen of Heaven expelling the Plague.

This high-altar theatrical sculpture depicts the Queen of Heaven expelling the Plague. It was believed that the plague's abatement was attributable to the intersession of the Virgin Mary.