The stones of Venice

by Lionello Puppi

"Following the footsteps of John Ruskin, who loved the city so well, this beautiful, specially photographed book on Venice is a thesis on the texture, colour, shape and endless uses of stone in the hands of sensitive artists.". "A remarkable and evocative text explains the magic birth of Venice, that rose from the waters like the sea goddess Venus with whom the city is identified. We see how the lagoon's two main islands were linked by a great sculpted bridge at the Rialto, how the city was protected from both tides and enemies by encircling ramparts of Istrian stone. The author and photographer lead us through the magic city on beautifully patterned stone pavements, passing by elaborate marble wells, they guide our vision towards sometimes rough and often elegant polished facades, ornamented with anything from coats of arms to a fantastic bestiary, that make up rippling stone curtains behind which are still courtyards or gardens and splendid rooms with marble inlaid floors on which fl