The light of the spirit burns incessantly, but only those who search for it can perceive it. And for those who are seen with the pure soul, there’s no better way of expression than art, which, in all its splendid forms, is a calling to the highest Ideals.
Situated in Venice, Italy, Santa Maria della Salute is a Roman Catholic church which provides every visitor with a magnificent view and an exquisite example of Baroque architecture.
It was built between 1631-1687, after a wave of plague assalted Venice in the summer of 1630, echoing the architectural response to a prior assault of the plague (1575-76), when Andrea Palladio was asked to design the Redentore church. Santa Maria della Salute was designed by the architect Baldassare Longhena, who described his work in these words:
‘I have created a church in the form of a rotunda, a work of new invention, not built in Venice, a work very worthy and desired by many. This church, having the mystery of its dedication, being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, made me think, with what little talent God has bestowed upon me of building the church in the shape of a crown.’
Undoubtedly, the Venetian church not only is one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings, but its originality and refinement make it stand out as one of the finest Italian churches. Admiring its white facade, marvelously reflected in the Grand Canal, is maybe one of the best reasons for visiting Venice. Wishing to bring the beauty of Italian architecture closer to our everyday lives, I made this drawing, its evolution being displayed below. Just as Elbert Hubbard said, ‘art is not a thing; it is a way.’
