Behind The Scenes

by Connie Handscomb

Title

Behind The Scenes

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

Tradition is tending the flame, not worshiping the ashes.
~ Gustav Mahler
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When we think of Venice, we usually think of water canals, and aged sienna structures baking in the sun under a bright blue sky; elaborate, masked festivals of the most elegant kind. We think of solid, ancient stone bridges,old outdoor fountains, and merry gondoliers gliding smoothly along the water expertly steering passengers in their watercraft.

About the gondoliers: to become a licensed gondolier requires entry into a 1,000 year-old, exlusive, all-male guild to learn the rigorous craft of Venetian water navigation, with the gondoliers always being passed the business from their fathers (the first female gondolier was accepted only recently, also preceding her father, but only as a stand-in). This is a highly-regarded, sought-after profession, with high earnings.

The gondoliers have a recognizable dress, because the dress code within their order requires they wear a red and white, or blue and white striped shirt, a jaunty ribboned straw hat, black pants and black shoes. To do otherwise might incur a fine; even the size of the stripe is regulated!

This strict dress code derived from times past, when the nobility with private palazzos had their own gondolas and decorated poles with coloured stripes, and family crests. Their gondoliers wore striped shirts to match, and these have remained a tradition to this day. The hats were a practicality, a protection from the hot sun. Incidentally, the stripes, were not always the style of the gondolier: in the early 1800's, they dressed much like an English butler.

This gondolier (and the one behind him) clearly has a life apart from transporting people on the ancient Venetian lagoon, as each takes a break from the crush of tourists wanting service. Technology, and modern-day items are a part of our lives now, wherever we go, although one day in the future - and maybe not even a distant one - the contemporary items you see here behind the scenes of traditional, old-style Venezia will very likely also be considered ancient relics, too :)

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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :

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June 23rd, 2016

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