Il mercato antiquariale nella Venezia di Ruskin L’arte medievale in Germania

Ruskin made his first trips to Venice when the city was under the Austrian domination, a long period which witnessed the dispersion of many Venetian medieval artworks. These items became of interest to a market which had to meet several requests, including high-standard commissions aimed at creating museums and evocative places. This is the case with the massive purchase by Frederick William of Prussia, in the 1840s, of some ancient medieval sculptures in Italy: among them we can find some Venetian masterpieces all bought from the same trader (Pajaro). Frederick William’s brother as well, Charles, bought several Venetian artworks to replicate a Venetian cloister in the Glienicke Palace. Finally, the Church of Peace in Potsdam is adorned with a mosaic bought in Murano, once part of the demolished Saint Cyprian Church.