The sestiere of San Polo : a cross section of Venetian society in the second half of the fifteenth century
This thesis seeks to add to our understanding of Venetian society in the latter half of the fifteenth century by offering a new approach: an in-depth study of one of Venice's six districts (sestier1). My researches concentrated on the sestiere of San Polo, which embraced the Rialto. My intention in narrowing the focus of analysis is to reveal a cross-section of society. Fundamental to this inquiry is to discover the identity of this sestiere; to explore its little known social profile, trades and solidarities and to sharpen the images of its urban fabric. At the same time, it is an investigation into the significance and role of neighbourhood and local loyalties in Renaissance Venice. The opening chapter discusses the changing topography of San Polo and its definition over the following three centuries. Boundaries were blurred; parish disputes document how and why they were changed. Chapter Two introduces the three social orders recognised by contemporaries (patriciate, citizenry and artisans), tracing the sharpening of hierarchy, the growing cohesion of the cittadini originarii and the emergence of poorer neighbourhoods towards the city's margins. Chapter Three investigates noble and cittadini families in
Wheeler, Joseph Russell
DG Italy
The sestiere of San Polo : a cross section of Venetian society in the second half of the fifteenth century. This thesis seeks to add to our understanding of Venetian society in the latter half of the fifteenth century by offering a new approach: an in-depth study of one of Venice's six districts (sestier1). My researches concentrated on the sestiere of San Polo, which embraced the Rialto. My intention in narrowing the focus of analysis is to reveal a cross-section of society. Fundamental to this inquiry is to discover the identity of this sestiere; to explore its little known social profile, trades and solidarities and to sharpen the images of its urban fabric. At the same time, it is an investigation into the significance and role of neighbourhood and local loyalties in Renaissance Venice. The opening chapter discusses the changing topography of San Polo and its definition over the following three centuries. Boundaries were blurred; parish disputes document how and why they were changed. Chapter Two introduces the three social orders recognised by contemporaries (patriciate, citizenry and artisans), tracing the sharpening of hierarchy, the growing cohesion of the cittadini originarii and the emergence of poorer neighbourhoods towards the city's margins. Chapter Three investigates noble and cittadini families in
cross_section venetian society second seek add venetian society latter offer_new depth_study venice district research concentrate embrace intention narrow_focus analysis_reveal cross_section society fundamental inquiry discover identity explore little_know social profile trade solidarity sharpen image urban fabric time investigation significance role neighbourhood local loyalty renaissance venice opening discus change topography definition follow boundaries blur parish dispute document change introduces social_order recognise contemporary artisan trace sharpen hierarchy grow cohesion emergence poor neighbourhood towards city margin investigates noble