Entry of Henri III, King of France and Poland, into Venice
Domenico Zenoi Italian
Not on view
The French king Henri’s entry into Venice on July 18, 1574, marked the beginning of ten days of festivities. This print gives some idea of the elaborate water spectacle staged to greet him. The ship that carried the king is shown in the center of the fleet. It was one of forty such vessels, each of which is identified on the print according to the guild that sponsored it. Later in the celebrations there were sea races and a tableau of "sea gods" came to play music to Henri. This etching was made the year of the event. A much more ambitious print of the same subject made years later in 1591 (see 2015.53).
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