Venice is the fascinating subject of The Arts Society Isle of Wight's first lecture of its new season.

Building on Water, The Wealth and Architecture of Venice by Justin Reay, will take place on Tuesday, September 24, at 2pm at Northwood House in Cowes.

Built on mudflats in the salt-water marshes at the head of the Adriatic towards the end of the Roman era, Venice became rich from trade with the Byzantine empire, but her power and wealth were consolidated by her savage sack of Constantinople in 1204, creating the richest city in Europe.

The city grew over the waters of the lagoon, not just facing the sea but becoming part of it.

The architecture of the new city reflected influences from the east, distinct from the buildings of medieval and Renaissance Italy.

Justin will discuss how trade with the Byzantines, Ottomans, the Hanseatic League and the merchants of the Silk Road created the powerful city-state known as La Serenissima – the Most Serene – and describe the great buildings of the Piazza San Marco and along the Grand Canal as well as some of the hidden gems in the beautiful but fragile city we know today.

Justin studied the History of Art and Architecture at Oxford, and later studied Islamic art at Oxford and classical culture with the university of Athens.

Justin is a frequent lecturer for The Arts Society with a wide range of talks and study days on art history, painting, sculpture and architecture across cultures from antiquity to the modern era.

There are places for visitors at all lectures for £10 per person but booking must be made in advance to info@theartssocietyisleofwight.org.uk  

Most lectures are also broadcast on Zoom for members who cannot attend in person.