GALLERIA ACADEMIA OF VENICE

Recently while moving through the exhibit rooms of the Galleria Academia of Venice, I was reminded of how art tells stories. The first story depicted is that of the subject of the artwork itself, visible through the color and medium. Then, of course there are the stories of the individual artists and patrons who have commissioned the art. Finally, there is the societal story at work in the worldviews which are on display, especially as one quickly moves through time from ancient to medieval, from renaissance to mannerism, and from baroque to romanticism. Art museums tell human stories.

It was this story-telling quality of art that silently, but powerfully spoke to me when I visited the Academia. A painting by Marco Basaiti called “The Calling of the Sons of Zebedee” practically jumped off the wall towards me. This work from around 1470-1530 depicts the scene in the Gospels when the Lord calls the two sons to himself as his disciples. This painting fits well with the city of Venice, where fishing is an essential part of daily life. As I saw this work, I recalled my own vocation story from the Lord and it inspired a joy within me for the years ahead.

Zachary Galante ’24, Archdiocese of Milwaukee