Why the Venetian aristocracy actually blocked luxury itself
Well, well.
People who have little pennies for gold, marmur, stitches and costs, one day said:
“Let’s show less how rich we are.”
It was not modesty at all. It's all about politics.
When wealth becomes a political issue
Venice was a republic.
And the Republic is already nervously confronted with people, as they begin to look like a king.
Because one patrician will buy a palace from ten times rich for a day, buy an incredibly large number of items, hire hundreds of servants and continue to go around like this, the area of San Marco must be especially for you, Inappropriate nutrition is to blame:
Are we really still a republic?
Therefore, the Venetian government gradually introduced such a title sumptuary laws - laws against supermundane luxury.
And the stench was regulated by those that today we consider absolutely private.
How to get dressed. What kind of fabrics are used? How many pieces were put into embellishment. How to design a party. How many guests should you request? It is permissible to give such gifts.
Іноді навіть те, How many times can we write during the holy day?
Why?
Because the luxury is not just pennies. Rozkish shows the status. And Venice’s status became a political problem. The patricians were formally loyal members of the ruling class.
Everyone knew perfectly well who was rich. Who's the biggest one? Who has more ships? Who has more land? Who has the best connections?
And if you allow everyone to freely demonstrate their wealth, the marriage will soon turn into fraud:
“Who’s the big one here?”
Venice didn’t love anyone.
Grand Canal Replacement Instagram
That’s why I was trying to control what we would today call an Instagram story.
Only zamest Instagram buv The Grand Canal.
And instead of a photo with a new handbag - palace facade. 🙂
Ale here it’s still better
This does not at all mean that the Venetian aristocracy became poor or ascetic.
Navpaki.
In the middle of their palaces, the stench could indulge in incredible excess.
Marmur. Frescoes. Gilding. Shovk. Venice slope. Східні футболини. Коштовні меблі. Paintings by the finest artists.
So the logic would be something like this:
“Show off - carefully. Mati - it’s possible.”
The first axis is narrower than the Venetian one.
Rozkish, I don’t need to explain
The supply of goods has gradually shifted from the demonstration of wealth into the brightness of space.
Don't shout loudly:
“Wonder how many pennies I have.”
You can simply ask guests to go to the palace, where they can see Marmur’s steps, a wonderful library, paintings on the walls and a view of the Grand Canal.
And everything will become clear without a single word.
Wealth also required discipline
All practical reasons.
The Venetian aristocracy lived in a very specific world.
Their wealth was uneven.
The deeds of the old homeland were deprived of their supernatural wealth.
Others were step by step poor.
But the state did not want financial exchanges between their homelands to be turned into political struggle.
That's why luxury was offered discipline by law.
The first axis here is a beautiful paradox
Venice did not protect the wealth. Vaughn was trying to stop this very loud demonstration. It’s not the people who are rich who are not safe in the republic.
It is not safe if she begins to behave this way, because through her wealth she has the right to be over others.
How to read Venice
To myself, while walking through Venice, I will say: Don’t just marvel at the gold. Дивіться на міру. On пропроції. On details.
Those who have so many speeches are captured at first glance. Venetian luxury already often follows the principle: If you need to explain how expensive it is, it means that you have not yet realized that such supplies are available.
And, perhaps, that’s why Venice still looks so aristocratic. Vaughn told her richest bastards one very recent speech: