- Gallery: Room 90
- Culture: Venice
- Made in: Venice (city)
- Date: 1555-1560 (circa)
- Object type: print
- Materials: paper
- Museum number: 1860,0414.167.a
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
Before you is a dramatic woodcut print titled "Procession of the Doge of Venice." Created in Venice around 1555–1560, it captures a grand scene of figures moving in process, with many others watching from an upper balcony. The print is made up of eight interlocking woodcut blocks, each carefully lettered for assembly.
The scene shows a solemn and ceremonial procession, believed to reflect the official order of the Doge’s entourage. Detailed symbols of authority, such as standards and ceremonial objects, follow the Doge and highlight the mix of secular and religious power in Venetian society. This may not be a realistic depiction of every procession but instead an artistic representation of Venetian governance.
Produced by Matteo Pagani, a known printer and bookseller, the print is marked with his name and shop address. This impressive woodcut may have served as decorative frieze in public or private spaces. Its size—over four meters wide—suggests it was crafted for display rather than private use.
See it in person
Print is on display in Room 90 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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