2016 - Niue 50 $ Venedig: Markusplatz (Piazza San Marco) Gold - PP

Markusplatz - Piazza San Marco Gold Coin, by Guardi, 50 Dollars 2016, Series: SOS. Venice – End or Beginning?

DISAPPEARING PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC COMMEMORATED IN PURE GOLD

Will Venice disappear without trace like Pompeii and legendary Atlantis? Will the tremendous forces of nature take over the impressive architecture of the city? There are numerous indications that Venice will soon disappear in the sea depths. The city is threatened not only by rising sea levels, but also by gradual landslides caused by the movement of tectonic plates. The Mint of Poland, concerned about the future of Venice and inspired by its fragile beauty, commemorated its distinctive landmarks in pure silver.

• great gift idea for all art lovers and admirers of beautiful Venice!
• commemorative and artistic value – interesting design alluding to Venetian Gothic
• Venice landmarks shown through the prism of paintings by Canaletto and Francesco Guardi

The impressive architecture of the city has always been a source of inspiration for the great Italian painters. The fourth coin from the series “S.O.S. Venice – End or Beginning?” features the famous painting by Francesco Guardi. One of his chefs-d’oeuvre depicts the St Mark’s Square with a view over a medieval basilica, a bell tower, the arcades of the Procuratie Vecchie and the Procuratie Nuove, as well as numerous stalls and cafés. The painting perfectly captures the atmosphere of the bygone era. In the XVIII-century Venice the exquisite gowns of the city dwellers – fancy dresses of the ladies and scarlet capes of the men – constituted an integral part of the beautiful Venetian landscape. The painting’s reproduction was vividly reflected on the coin’s surface with the use of high-end digital printing. The right-hand side of the reverse depicts St Mark’s winged lion derived from one of two columns devoted to patrons of Venice – St. Mark and St Theodore. This elegant high-relief frame perfectly complements the work art by Francesco Guardi.