GASPARI, Pietro (1720-1785). Illustrissimis et excellentissimis procuratoribus de procuratia de supra novi circi pro nundinis quae in foro maximo Venetiis festo dominicae ascensionis die quotannis indicuntur scenographiam. Venice: [s.n.], 1777. Large view of Piazza San Marco in Venice, engraved by Antonio Baratti after a drawing by Pietro Gaspari, depicting the Procuratie vecchie and the base of St Mark's Campanile. The scene shows the temporary colonnade erected by Bernardino Macaruzzi (1728-1798) to host the stalls of merchants attending the 'Fiera della Sensa' of 1777. This fair was a ritual market held annually, opening eight days before Ascension Day and continuing for fifteen days thereafter, in conjunction with the 'Festa dell'Ascensione. The Doge traditionally visited the market immediately after the symbolic 'Marriage of the Sea' ceremony, through which Venice would be symbolically united with the sea, and just before the formal banquet at the Doge's Palace. Copper engraving (visible image: 1450 x 540 mm). Two sheets joined at an early date (marginal defects and browning, with small losses). Housed in a Venetian frame (1510 x 640 mm) from the workshop of Antonio Colpo, late 19th century, as indicated by the original label on the verso (losses). (1)