External statues
- Caterina
- Nov 5, 2020
- 1 min read

Venice was a fairly secular state with a Christian religion. Venetians were devoted to many saints, but they had a special attention to Mary, to whom their city was consecrated. On top of the surrounding walls of several gardens the statue of Mary holding Jesus is dominating as a symbol of protection.
The statue in limestone is usually overhung by a copper canopy, that is against weathering but it also served to provide the statue with its proper setting and emphasis. Its tradition started in France in the 12th century and it spread all over Europe and it was especially used for external statues.
In the district of Dorsoduro there are two statues facing each other
representing the same imagery of protection. We do not know much about them apart that they are dominating the garden from their position.

Rio degli Ognissanti

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