How is a life defined by a city, and a city by the lives within? Where do an individual and a culture coincide? Perhaps more than any city in the world, Venice inspires these questions and suggests intriguing answers. This book focuses on people who have been shaped by Venice and have shaped Venice in their turn. The author considers them in five the "mutilated culture heroes" (e.g., the eunuch Narses), who despite or because of some great sacrifice helped the city define itself and its mission; the "fugitives from splendor" (e.g., St. Pietro Orseolo or El Greco), so overwhelmed by beauty that they fled the city; the "prisoners of Venice"the convicts, the cloistered, the mad; the "symbiotics," who lived in close communion with the city for long periods of time (e.g., Titian) and the "fugitives from self" (e.g., Igor Stravinsky), who have come from elsewhere seeking a new identity, and who ended up helping to create a new identity for the city itself. More than a collection of biographies, this richly textured and insightful work examines the roots of peoples "Venice-ness" as well as the citys own humanity.

Sethre, Janet, 1945-

McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers

Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland

United States, United States of America

PS, 2003

Includes bibliographical references (p.219-222) and index.

"This book focuses on people who have been shaped by Venice and have shaped the city of canals in their turn. There are five groups: the "mutilated culture heroes" (e.g., the eunuch Narses), who despite or because of some great sacrifice helped the city define itself; the "fugitives from splendor" (e.g., St. Pietro I Orseolo or El Greco), so overwhelmed by beauty they fled the city; the "prisoners of Venice"--The convicts, the cloistered, the mad

By Janet Sethre. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-222) And Index.

xi, 232 p. : 23 cm
Includes bibliographical references (p.219-222) and index

2023-06-28